Imagine standing at a crossroads where two coaching titans await your verdict. Stephen Jackson—veteran of Popovich’s Spurs machine and Mavericks X-and-O’s workshops—recently pulled the ripcord on an insider confession. While Gregg Popovich’s legacy as an NBA coaching titan is undisputed, Stephen Jackson’s recent commendation of another coach’s unparalleled basketball IQ has turned heads.
As expected, the Knicks–Pacers series is captivating fans. Despite a star-studded Knicks lineup—including Brunson, Hart, Anunoby, and Towns—the Pacers grabbed command early. The real headline, though, is the Pacers’ mastermind on the sideline. And Jackson seems to agree. Despite growing under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich, he ultimately chose a different coaching legend.
During the Dan Patrick Show, Stephen Jackson had high praise for the former Spurs coach. He had two stints under Popovich back in 2000 and later in 2012. But choosing Rick Carlisle, he said, “My personal opinion, and I really stand on this Pop is the greatest coach I played for, but the highest IQ and the smartest coach I played for is definitely Rick Carlisle. X’s and O’s is not even close.” He added that Carlisle prepared his teams by studying opponents’ tendencies in depth.
“Pop is the greatest coach I’ve played for, but the highest IQ and the smartest coach I’ve played for is definitely Rick Carlisle X’s and O’s it’s not even close.”
–@DaTrillStak5 on the impact of #Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle pic.twitter.com/zBRZDTbQlh
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) May 28, 2025
This month, on May 2, 2025, Popovich stepped down as Spurs head coach, and Mitch Johnson took over. He decided to take on the full-time role as the team’s President of Basketball Operations.
As of now, it’s Coach Carlisle who is making the headlines for his mastermind work in leading the Pacers. Chandler Parsons believes the coach was crucial to the Pacers’ dominance over the Knicks. But how?
Chandler Parsons on Rick Carlisle vs. Jalen Brunson
Indiana Pacers coach Carlisle has been undeniably phenomenal. Stephen Jackson and Chandler Parsons share the same sentiment. Parsons argues Carlisle’s key impact has been holding Brunson, one of the NBA’s most efficient scorers, in check. Carlisle is well-acquainted with Brunson’s playing style, strengths, and development, having coached the Knicks star for three years during their time together with the Mavericks.
“Don’t forget, Carlo had Brunson in Dallas, he knows his game about as good as anybody in the league. Obviously, there’s a film and a bunch of things you can watch of him, but he knows what to take away,” Parsons said on Run It Back.
This was back in 2018. With that experience in mind, Carlisle likely has a deeper understanding of how to prepare the Pacers to counter both Brunson and the New York Knicks. Brunson has averaged 33 points in the playoffs, but his FG% has dipped to 48.3%, below his regular-season mark.
He struggled in Game 3 (22.2% FG) and attempted only six shots in the second half of Game 4. “He knows what he doesn’t like, what bothers him. So, that’s also a big advantage no one has really talked about,” Parsons said. Not to mention, Jackson said the same about Carlisle’s IQ and playing approach.
This may be why Parsons believes Carlisle deserves more credit than the players. More or equal, what Carlisle has been doing for the Pacers is certainly admirable.
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