Even if this elongation of the adductors stopped it in its tracks, Tyrese Haliburton continues to progress at an impressive pace. Since his arrival in Indianapolis in February 2022, the former Kings leader has reached important milestones, such as his selection for the 2023 All-Star Game or his integration into Team USA last summer. And what can we say about this season! The leader of the Pacers has multiplied his very high level performances, to the point of averaging more than 24 points and 12 assists as the halfway point of the regular season approaches.
Shortly before Christmas, Tyrese Haliburton confided that he had noticed the adaptations of opposing defenses to complicate his task, in particular by trying to “blitz” him to cut him off from his teammates and force him to let go of the ball.
Since then, he has done quite well and seemed to be off to a good start before his injury. This week, he also said he felt the “good sides” of his new status, such as the pleasure of seeing more and more fans wearing his jersey across the country, and particularly for matches played far from Indianapolis.
The joy of seeing your jersey worn in away matches
“That's what's great about the NBA, seeing more yellow jerseys with the number zero in the away crowd. It’s a great feeling”, he recognized. “When we played in Chicago recently, I had never seen so many yellow jerseys with the number zero in a crowd at an away match. It's always cool to see that. There were Pacers fans in Houston too, I didn't even know that existed, you know what I mean? That's the great thing about being a young, up-and-coming team and starting to establish yourself, is that people look up to you and become fans right in front of you and want to show you love and see you succeed. . »
This burgeoning popularity also comes with greater pressure. The Pacers are no longer a surprise team, and Tyrese Haliburton knows that opposing staff are racking their brains to slow him down.
“It’s really cool for me, because it’s not just local anymore. People are starting to see it and be fans everywhere. Of course, when we go away from home, it's not surprising to see me at the top of the opposing scouts' reports. I became the number one center of interest on an individual level. I'm sort of the straw that stirs the glass, if that makes sense. So it's a good thing to have that target on our backs and my team understands that too. They understand that it's not just about me, but also about the whole team. Opponents see us having success, and that’s what we want.”
Another witness to the growth of his popularity rating, Tyrese Haliburton was selected among other rising stars to participate in the new series “Pass The Rock” which aims to introduce the general public to the young talents who will make the NBA of tomorrow, with Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jaren Jackson Jr, Tyrese Maxey and Victor Wembanyama.
Tyrese Haliburton, a symbolic player of the new generation
All these beautiful little people will take power when LeBron James, Stephen Curry and other Kevin Durant pass the baton to them. For Tyrese Haliburton, this gentle transition represents an exciting moment in his history as a basketball player, in order to be able to face his youth idols who are still doing better than holding their own today, and to embody the next generation alongside these players.
“I think we all see it. young people are starting to assert themselves and make a name for themselves. For me, it's still difficult to say that I embody the renewal at the position, because I just lost to LeBron James in the final of the NBA tournament and he's been doing that since I was three years old. But yes, it’s clear that young players are starting to assert themselves and that the future of the game is starting to take shape”he added. “Whether it’s LeBron, guys like KD, guys like Steph, they’re still playing at a very, very high level. But yes, the transition is starting to happen and as you see, it seems like Bron will never stop playing, just like KD and Steph. »
Like LeBron, still as effective at 39 years old, the previous generation does not seem determined to give up, and the youngsters will have to wait before becoming the faces of the NBA. Especially since there is also this intermediate generation with Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, the last three MVPs.
“These guys don't look like they're slowing down, but ultimately the transition will be towards the young guys and the prospects. It's cool to see that because these guys are part of the NBA that I grew up watching and now it's going to evolve into what kids are watching today and it's really cool to be a part of that. I know the most important thing to succeed in the league is to be consistent. A lot of us are doing a lot of good things, but there will be differences over time and we will see who is able to stand out.”
Despite what he has already accomplished, the leader of the Pacers still has a lot of appetite to be able to claim to take up the torch with dignity when the time comes.
“I feel like every time I put my shoes on I'm the best player on the pitch, that's how I see it. I'm not really interested in all these questions, you know, who's the best, who's not the best. But I have confidence in myself and my teammates, and we strive every night to win games by being 100%.”
| Tyrese Haliburton | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | BAG | 58 | 30 | 47.2 | 40.9 | 85.7 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 13.0 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 77 | 35 | 47.3 | 41.4 | 84.2 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 8.2 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 15.3 |
| 2021-22 * | BAG | 51 | 34 | 45.7 | 41.3 | 83.7 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 14.3 |
| 2021-22 * | IND | 26 | 36 | 50.2 | 41.6 | 84.9 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 9.6 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 17.5 |
| 2022-23 | IND | 56 | 34 | 49.0 | 40.0 | 87.1 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 10.5 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 20.7 |
| 2023-24 | IND | 33 | 33 | 49.7 | 40.3 | 86.8 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 12.5 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 23.6 |
| Total | 224 | 33 | 48.2 | 40.7 | 85.9 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 8.6 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 17.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
