Carlisle refutes TNT crew's opinion Porzingis must be more assertive inside

Rick Carlisle is adamant he knows what's best for his players.

During the Dallas Mavericks' 102-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday in Luka Doncic's return from injury, Kristaps Porzingis attempted more shots from beyond the arc (eight) than inside it (seven).

It caught the attention of TNT color and studio analysts Chris Webber, Shaquille O'Neal, and Charles Barkley. During the broadcast, the crew criticized the Mavs' use of the 7-foot-3 forward, maintaining Porzingis should be more aggressive inside the paint.

The Mavs head coach wasn't hearing any of it postgame, insisting Porzingis' role speaks to the changing NBA landscape.

"The post-up just isn't a good play anymore," Carlisle said, according to The Athletic's Tim Cato. "It just isn't a good play. It's not a good play for a 7-3 guy. It's a low-value situation. Our numbers are very substantial that when he spaces beyond the 3-point line, you know, we're a historically good offensive team."

Porzingis is averaging 3.7 field-goal attempts within 5 feet of the rim this season, versus a career-high 6.3 attempts from beyond the arc.

"We've got to realize that this game has changed," Carlisle added. "It’s changed. It's just a fact. And he's a guy when he spaces beyond the arc, above the break, is a historically great all-time 3-point shooter with unbelievable efficiency. ... His spacing is such that when people run at him, he's now driving the ball directly for dunks. He's throwing some really cool lob passes to (Dwight) Powell. I mean, you've got a 7-3 guy throwing to a 6-10 guy on a lob? That’s pretty f------ cool if you ask me."