In his first 2025 NBA Finals, Mark Daigneault has faced off against a respectable counterpart. Rick Carlisle has been there and done that. His coaching career is almost as long as Daigneault's whole life. Despite entering as heavy underdogs, the Indiana Pacers have forced a decisive Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The 2025 Pacers and 2011 Mavericks have traditional centers, but Indiana's has a more modern skillset. Tyson Chandler anchored the Dallas defense back then, along with leading the team in rebounds, but was offensively limited to points in the paint.