(05-28-2021, 01:23 PM)Dahlsim Wrote: All good. I'm very aware that Coach Carlisle used to operate different strategically like pretty much all NBA coaches have had to evolve and adjust to the changes of the current game.
In fact back in his Pacer days Rick Carlisle had Jermaine O'Neal who operated one of the best offensive Big man games in the league complete with *gasp* POST UPS and a powerful paint game. That team worked the classic inside/out game very well under Coach C.
What we're talking about now is the way his strategic approach is today which includes a coach that has said publicly "Let's face it, the Post up is dead.".
I'm not arguing that point here at all either, Carlisle has a great high powered offense and right now seems to have a great roster mix that could really execute it well.
As far as the Goon thing, I don't think we're necessarily talking about trying to injure someone, although that is certainly a possible when play gets too rough for too long.
An enforcer can put a body on people, take some harder fouls and generally annoy or get under the skin of the other teams key players without any intent of causing an injury.
Now there are also dirty and dangerous plays, which is really another category and discussion in and of itself. I recall earlier this season when Lebron executed what many saw as a dirty play that injured and could have very seriously injured Joel Embiid. He 2 handed shoved him in the air during a high flying dunk.
Lebron however has no reputation as an enforcer let alone a dirty player so most media gave him a pass along with the fact that he pretty much owns the league.
On the other hand there are occasionally some flat dirty and dangerous plays that seem quite deliberate.
I would hate to think any NBA coach would send someone into the game with an intention of doing that.
I think I get what u r saying, and thanks for the elaboration on the differences between an enforcer and a goon. Good stuff!
As far as whether an NBA coach would send a player into the game who intends to hurt someone, players aren't going to announce that they intend to hurt another player, even if that is exactly their intent. And unfortunately, I think coaches tend to turn their heads at such behavior if it is "working," or even tacitly encourage it.