It seems there’s some confusion in your headline—Rick Carlisle remains the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, not an associate head coach for the Sacramento Kings. The person who actually holds that position is Mike Woodson, formerly of the Pacers, who was hired as the Kings’ associate head coach in May 2025
That said, Carlisle recently sent a strong message directed at Sacramento’s front office—but it wasn’t to himself. He spoke out following the shocking mid-season firing of Kings head coach Mike Brown in December 2024. Carlisle, who had previously worked with Brown in Indiana, publicly expressed his shock and disapproval. Here are the key points:
- Carlisle called the move “absolutely shocking”, labeling Brown as “one of the standard bearers for integrity for our profession”
- He emphasized the abruptness of the decision despite Brown’s prior success, including leading the Kings to their first playoff appearance in nearly two decades and being named 2022–23 NBA Coach of the Year
- Carlisle’s support was echoed in other league circles, with many coaches calling the timing and reasoning behind the firing questionable
🏀 Breaking Down Carlisle’s Message
| Focus Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal Connection | Carlisle and Brown previously coached together in the Pacers’ organization (2003–05), so the decision felt personal |
| Respect for Brown | Carlisle praised him as “one of the standard bearers for integrity,” highlighting both character and coaching quality |
| Shock at Timing | The firing occurred 28 games into the 2024–25 Kings season, during a year they just started to hit their stride—making the move all the more surprising |
| Wider Critique | Other NBA voices, such as Michael Malone, also criticized the Kings’ handling of coaching stability |
What This Means
- For the Kings: Letting go of a Coach of the Year mid-season frames a narrative of instability and drama for an organization already under scrutiny.
- For Brown: He has since been hired by the New York Knicks as their head coach as of July 7, 2025
- For Carlisle: As head coach of the Pacers, he reaffirmed his support for professionalism and integrity across the league.
✅ Corrected Headline
BREAKING: Indiana Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle expresses shock and disappointment after Sacramento Kings fired former Coach Mike Brown mid‑season, praising Brown’s integrity and questioning the decision-making of the Kings’ front office.
Would you like me to write a full article in this properly reframed angle? Happy to draft a complete story with quotes, background, and impact!
