Indiana Pacers Could Take a Page from 2011 Dallas Mavericks' Playbook in NBA Finals
Indiana Pacers Could Take a Page from 2011 Dallas Mavericks' Playbook in NBA Finals originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
In 2011, Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, head coach Rick Carlisle, and the Dallas Mavericks met the "Big Three" Miami Heat tandem in the NBA Finals. Nine months prior, LeBron James promised that he would win "not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven" titles in Miami, and the Heat were heavy favorites.
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Instead, the Mavericks sent them packing in six games, running home to South Beach with their tails tucked between their legs.
That 2011 ring was the crowning achievement for both Dirk and Carlisle, who is back in the Finals this year with the Indiana Pacers, who trail the Oklahoma City Thunder two games to three.
In a do-or-die Game 6 on Thursday night, All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton is hobbled, prompting Carlisle to possibly do what he did in 2011: give the undersized, overlooked bench player the starting nod.
In 2011, JJ Barea started only two regular-season games before getting the nod in Games 4, 5, and 6. This season, TJ McConnell has only started a single game, although his ability to push the pace will be very valuable with Haliburton hobbled.
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The 2011 Mavericks went 3-0 in the Finals game Barea started, clinching the only ring in franchise history. As the Pacers search for their first title, Carlisle could make the same call he made 14 years ago, giving the undersized, scrappy point guard a bigger role than expected.
It worked in 2011, when the Mavericks were the underdogs, and the situation is very similar for the Pacers.
Related: Mavericks Issue Major Announcement on Kyrie Irving
Related: Paige Bueckers Comments on Cooper Flagg's Potential Move to Dallas
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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