Zero concern for Zero
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — It was only a matter of time for Tyrese Haliburton.
After a slow start to the season that had everyone questioning Haliburton’s game, the All-NBA point guard has started to remind the world that he is… an All-NBA point guard.
Since the goose egg at the Garden, Haliburton has averaged 18.5 points and 8.5 assists, while hitting numerous clutch shots. Those numbers may not impress you, but only four players averaged those numbers last season. Haliburton is still finding his 3-point shot and has reportedly been bothered with back issues this season.
Several fans (and Hali-haters) have said Tyrese was only good for a half of a season. My first response to that: It wasn’t just a great half season before the injury last year.. it was historic. The stats and accolades in the story below are actually pretty mind-blowing.
So no, it wasn’t just a good half of a season. It was a phenomenal first half, followed by a really good second half and playoff run post-injury.
Haliburton wasn’t himself after the injury, but he wasn’t some slouch either. In the 7-game series against the Knicks, Haliburton averaged 21 and seven on 54% shooting. Those are big numbers for the post-season when scoring and assists numbers decline dramatically. He had a bad game or two against Milwaukee, but showed up when his team needed it the most.
He then had a very memorable Game 7 performance in the Garden, and then followed that up with 25 points and 10 assists in Game One against the Celtics before leaving in Game 2 and missing the rest of the series.
You can also stop pretending like Haliburton was a one-hit wonder. Last year was Haliburton’s second All-Star appearance. He has already had two 20/10 seasons and averaged 18/10 as a Pacer in 26 games the year before. Do you know how many players that have averaged 20 points and 10 assists in more than two NBA seasons? Only seven. How many have done it more than three times? Only four.
I understand the concerns about Haliburton in the early part of this season. He was given the massive contract. There are lingering concerns about his hamstrings and/or back injuries. And he’s not always your prototypical star player (you know, the 1v1 foul-merchant types).
He’s still the franchise. He’s still the system. He’s still worth every penny. Oh, and he’s still 24 years old.
The Pacers need him to be elite if they want to be true contenders. Being elite for this team, however, might look a little different on different nights. That’s why Pascal Siakam is here. That’s why the development of Bennedict Mathurin is so important. That’s why the depth this front office has built matters so much. Haliburton doesn’t have to drop 30 points every night for this team to be successful. He needs to be himself and play with confidence. He needs to get the offense moving. He needs to hit some clutch shots, and occasionally put the team on his shoulders.
My personal level of concern for zero is zero. When Haliburton’s 3-point shot returns to the typical elite levels, sit back, relax, and watch those numbers go boom.
