Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton has been working hard this summer with trainer Drew Hanlen in order to become a more aggressive scorer, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball News, who recently had an in-depth interview with Haliburton that also features Indiana’s general manager, Chad Buchanan.
The 22-year-old had a very impressive 26-game stint with the Pacers last season after being traded by the Kings in February, averaging 17.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 9.6 APG and 1.8 SPG on .502/.416/.849 shooting in 36.1 MPG. Entering his third season, he says he hopes to boost those numbers even more in 2022/23.
“I want to be a 20-and-10 guy and I want to be an All-Star,” Haliburton said. “Those are two personal goals for me that, I think, are attainable. I definitely think [I can accomplish that], for sure. I think I had that ability last year, and there was a span where I was doing that, so I think that naturally, I just have that ability. But now it’s just making that shift mentality-wise. I truthfully think 8, 9, 10 assists, that just happens for me playing basketball. I feel like I’m just a facilitator by nature, like, that just happens.
“But I think for me, it’s just getting more field-goal attempts, getting to the free-throw line more — I think I had like 30 games last year with no free throws, so I’m paying attention to that — and just figuring out different nuances and different ways to score the basketball. That’s just gonna allow me to elevate my game to a new level.”
Here are a few more highlights from Kennedy’s interview, which is worth checking out in full for any fans of Haliburton and/or the Pacers.
Buchanan on Haliburton being Indiana’s centerpiece:
“We’re gonna build our team around him. We see him as hopefully being the next Reggie Miller. We had a Reggie Miller mural painted on a building in downtown Indianapolis, and I think our dream is that one day Tyrese will have [his own] up somewhere in downtown Indianapolis.”
Haliburton on hopefully emulating the Grizzlies and developing the young roster over time:
“Man, I’m really excited about (the Pacers’ long-term potential). I’m really excited about the opportunity to build something young and starting from scratch, it feels. I think what Memphis has done is kinda what every young team is aspiring to do — have a bunch of young pieces that grow together, draft well and then compete for a championship. That’s big for me — to be able to kind of start from scratch and be a part of that culture building and everything that comes with it… I think that’s just the fun part about it, just being so young and getting to grow together, I think that’s really exciting.”
On using the trade as motivation:
“I think for the rest of my career, that [trade] is in my head, right? I think the great ones take little things, negative things and run with them. It’s funny — when I do things well, people are always like, ‘Look at what the Kings did!’ I love that stuff. That’s what I love. My whole life, I just love proving people wrong… Everything I do, I just want it to be like, ‘[Look at what the Kings did]!’“
Haliburton has a nice game. While his ceiling isn’t a superstar, he has a very high floor. Should be an impact player for the next decade.
He could be averaging >10 assists while shooting >40% 3PT and grabbing steals, doing all the little facets of the game really well. He can be a superstar if his team wins on the back of his contributions. How likely that is to happen depends on external factors, but the pride of Oshkosh has more than just a nice game. He needs to get more wisdom and experience but he can dominate games before long. Wait you see.
I’m so sick of hearing about him being traded. Get over it!! It’s not that sac didn’t want you or think you were a good player! They had to give up a good piece to get one back to help their system. Cry baby for real
He’s not crying about it. He literally admitted it was a small setback he’s using as motivation.
Some people just like to complain, I guess
Thank you ma’am! You know alot about complaining I’m sure !
Stay in middle school
Yeah Domas made a real difference! We might have sacrificed the future but at least the playoff drought ended! Oh…well at least a play-in berth gave us a glimpse of what this team could be with more time to develop chemistry! What’s that?… They didn’t what?… I see. Okay but surely without the trade we would have gotten a top 5 pick or something at least we weren’t that bad!……oh god.
I was big on Halliburton way before the draft. Most here thought I was nuts. He’s a big 2way player. A real PG at that size is hard to find. PG is my specialty. Trust me.
Even though I was happy to get Obi. Cause he was rated higher. And the talk in NY, was Randle was being moved. Oh well. Thibs changed all that. But now it’s time to get back to moving the drama Queen, Coach. Randle has to go. So the Knicks can move forward.
Still think Haliburton will be a top PG in this league. It starts this yr.
Reggie Miller came in with his rep of shooter out of UCLA. You can not be the next one and run the point at the same time.