"Ninja level mind control" - NBA fans react to Rick Carlisle's secret masterplan to goad Knicks coach into playing 6-foot-3 guard

NBA fans reacted to Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle's comments on Monday regarding the New York Knicks' bench unit. Carlisle said Knicks guard Cameron Payne had "some very good stretches."

"Their bench guys have a lot of good stretches all year long and in the playoffs," Carlisle said during his Monday media availability at the team’s practice facility. "Payne, who's had some very good stretches, didn't play."

The 6-foot-3 guard did not play in New York's Game 3 win on Sunday. He was part of Tom Thibodeau's rotation in the first two games — both Knicks' losses.

Fans on X commented that Carlisle had a hidden agenda with his comments.

Mike Mak

@TheMikeMak

This is ninja level mind control Rick is pulling here lol

NYKTerry

@NykTerry

Rick Carlisle tomorrow - “and seriously where is Jericho Sims, that’s the true key to the Knicks offense”

Tin_Man

@TinMan__X

He’s so bad with the reverse psychology

Others labeled the Pacers coach as the funniest in the NBA.

𝓜𝓪𝓽𝓽 ✈️

@mldiffley

He should have a Comedy Central special

Adam☘️

@CelticsAdam34

Rick Carlisle is the funniest coach in the league dude this is a hilarious gimmick

Several fans said Carlisle tried to do the same with little-used forward Precious Achiuwa.

Mikal Bridges Jr

@notmbridges

He tried to do the same thing with Precious 😂😂😂😂

Justin Trotman

@jtbegreat

Lmaooo he want Payne and Precious in the game

Sunday's Game 3 win over the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals was the first DNP for Payne in this year's postseason. In Game 1 of the East finals, he scored six points on 2-for-7 shooting. He went scoreless in nine minutes in Game 2. Payne is averaging 7.3 minutes in 14 playoff games this season.

The 30-year-old guard is in his first season with the Knicks. Payne was a key bench piece during the Phoenix Suns' 2021 NBA Finals run. However, the Suns lost the series to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. Knicks forward Mikal Bridges was also part of that squad.

Rick Carlisle praises Jalen Brunson following Pacers Game 3 collapse

The Indiana Pacers surrendered a 20-point lead in the Game 3 loss to the New York Knicks. Indiana still leads the series 2-1, but Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Jalen Brunson, the NBA Clutch Player of the Year, gives his team problems.

"He’s a walking basket. He’s just hard to guard,” Carlisle said postgame. "We’re trying to make it hard on him. ... But they made plays, and we didn’t when it got to that point. Give them credit, and we’ve got to do better.”

The Pacers were further affected by forward Aaron Nesmith's ankle injury. Nesmith suffered an ankle sprain midway through the third quarter. He eventually returned to the game, but his injury is a major concern for Indiana, as his primary defensive assignment is limiting Brunson.

During his Monday media availability at the team’s practice facility, Carlisle provided an update on Nesmith's setback.

“Aaron is sore today — predictably,” Carlisle said. “He will be likely a game-time decision. Probably be listed as questionable.”

Game 4 of the conference finals between the Knicks and the Pacers will be on Tuesday at Indiana's Gainbridge Fieldhouse.