Ex-Dallas Mavericks Coach Makes Bold Statement About Luka Doncic

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle recently spoke about Luka Doncic.

Oct 17, 2018; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle (left) talks with guard Luka Doncic (77) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Rick Carlisle was the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks for 13 seasons and helped lead them to the 2011 NBA Championship over LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Carlisle left the Mavs following the 2020-21 season, and he is now at the helm for the Indiana Pacers.

Recently, he was on a podcast (Green Light with Chris Long) and was asked about Luka Doncic.

Doncic spent his first three seasons in the NBA playing for Carlisle.

Carlisle: "I think right now, you look at the run he's been on during the playoffs, leading to the Finals, what he's done in the first two games of the Finals. If this guy isn't the best player in the world, I don't know who is. He is that amazing."

The Mavs are currently in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.

Carlisle's interview was taped following Game 2 (when the Mavs trailed 0-2).

Mar 5, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle reacts to a Pacers foul call on Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Currently, the Mavs trail the Celtics 3-1 after winning Game 4 by a score of 124-88.

Doncic finished with 29 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals while shooting 12/26 from the field and 0/8 from the three-point range in 33 minutes of playing time.

Luka Doncic is the fastest player in NBA Finals history to record 100+ PTS • 25+ REB • 25+ AST. pic.twitter.com/1NzZYx3GAJ

— StatMamba (@StatMamba) June 15, 2024

Game 5 of the series will be on Monday evening in Boston.

If the Mavs stay alive, the teams will return to Dallas for Game 6 on Thursday evening.

Doncic finished the regular season with averages of 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 48.7% from the field and 38.2% from the three-point range.