Carlisle Cites “Matchups” As Reason for Not Playing Nerlens Noel

After another low minute game for Nerlens Noel, it was time for Rick Carlisle to answer questions on why Noel isn’t seeing the court.

Two days before Media Day in Dallas, Rick Carlisle had a conference call with Nerlens Noel and his agent where he informed Noel he would not be starting this upcoming season.

The news obviously came to Noel after a summer where him and the Mavs couldn’t come to terms on a long-term deal and he found himself taking the one year qualifying offer. Now, on the season where he is betting on himself, he finds himself coming off the bench.

After the loss to the Golden State Warriors on October 23rd, the Dallas Mavericks are now 0-4 on the season with a back-to-back with Memphis coming on Wednesday and Thursday.

Over the course of these four games, Noel is averaging a little over 18 minutes a game, but that average is a little higher due to him logging 27 minutes against Sacramento in one of them. The other three games, Noel logged 19, 15 and 11 minutes.

That 11 minute game came in the 30 point loss to Golden State.

When Rick Carlisle was asked after the game why Noel didn’t play more. He cited matchups as the reason.

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"“Just the matchups. You can’t put him out there on Green. It’s just one of those nights,” Carlisle said. “Houston played those guys on opening night and they told Nene before the game it’s not a good night for you and he didn’t play at all. He could play today with Pachulia out there and McGee.”"

There is a lot to unpack in that statement.

First off, Carlisle elected to give Powell 19 minutes because I guess he isn’t a matchup problem?

Second, he compared Noel not playing to a similar situation of Nene not playing.

Third, the quick, athletic Noel could play against Pachulia, but not Green?

Next: Chat with Kevin Durant on Dirk Nowitzki

The situation continues to get weirder in Dallas with Nerlens Noel and it doesn’t seem to be changing soon.