Rick Carlisle: 'It sucks' to prepare to coach against LeBron James

[ASFN Admin]

Even at age 41 and in a reduced role, LeBron James is still a handful to deal with for opposing teams and coaches. When he wants to be, he is still a game-changing force, and he has thus been rewriting the rules of aging for athletes.

In the Los Angeles Lakers' 137-130 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, James posted 23 points on 9-of-17 field-goal shooting, nine rebounds and nine assists. He's averaging 21 points on 51.3% shooting, six rebounds and 6.9 assists a game, and he has adjusted rather well to his new role as the team's third scoring option.

Rick Carlisle, the Pacers' head coach, was asked what it is like to prepare as a coach to face James, and he didn't mince words.

Rick Carlisle asked what it's like to game plan for LeBron James. He deadpans. "It's sucks."

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) March 25, 2026

He also praised the superstar's longevity, dedication to physical fitness and impact on the game.

Carlisle says it's daunting to just think about what James does to stay in this kind of condition. "Transcendent players change the game. He's changed the game."

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) March 25, 2026

Carlisle: "I've seen it all too closely over the years. Mad respect for what he's done over the years. Passing Robert Parish, for a wing player to do that over a period of 21, 22 years, there's just no words."

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) March 25, 2026

Carlisle has been an NBA head coach for over 20 years, and it was his 2011 Dallas Mavericks who upended James' Miami Heat in the championship series while harassing James into some horrible play during crunch time. His Pacers came within one victory of winning it all last year when star guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

James recently became the league's all-time leader in career regular-season games played, and, of course, he's already its all-time leader in career points, All-Star selections, All-NBA nods and seasons played. He's leading everyone in fast-break points per game, and judging by his athleticism and explosiveness, he seems to have a good amount of game left in his tank.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Rick Carlisle: 'It sucks' to prepare to coach against LeBron James

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