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I still think Carlisle just because he did the most with his team when they had every excuse in the book to call it a season. And I'm not just talking about the suspensions, although losing a player of Ron Artest caliber for a whole season hurts, along with the loses of O'neal and jackson for their times. What has really been impressive is that despite all the injuries they've dealt with on top of the suspensions, the Pacer's still were able to win. On espn, and various other places His players have missed 400 games due to injuries. That's the equivalent of almost 5 full seasons, yet they were able to finish with 44 wins, which a whole lot less than what I think anyone expected after the brawl took place.
In one article on espn's website they made this point:
No way Phoenix wins 50 games, let alone go a league-best 62-20, if Nash and Amare Stoudemire both miss half the season, the way Pacers point Jamaal Tinsley and power forward Jermaine O'Neal did due to injuries and O'Neal's 15-game suspension. And say the league had suspended Shawn Marion for the year nine games into the season, as Ron Artest was.
I'm not trying to take anything away from D'Atoni or Skiles, or George Karl, or any other coach in the league who was up for the award, but the fact is Carlisle did a great job with his team and has kept them in contention for a shot in the East, and I think he should have been coach of the year or Skiles, D'Atoni, or any other coach in the nBA this year.
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