Haliburton impresses in every way
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — The Pacers may have found the franchise piece they’ve been looking for. Tyrese Haliburton arrived with a bang on Friday night, connecting on his first six shots, throwing dimes, and showing Pacer fans why he was worth giving up a 2-time All-Star.
Pacers President Kevin Pritchard met with the media before Friday’s game, and he was very straight-forward about his pursuit of his new point guard.
“We had one target, and we got him,” Pritchard said. “That included knocking on the door a lot. We were the aggressors and felt like that player was something that could change an organization, or at least reinvigorate it.”
Pritchard continued: “Getting a point guard that is young with upside and you feel like you can build around for the next 10 years… Those don’t come around very often. Tyrese is that guy. He’s an elite talent, and 21 years old.”
As Pat Boylan pointed out, Haliburton averaged 19 points and 10 assists per game when he was the lone point guard in Sacramento. He ranks 12th in the NBA in steals, 11th in assists, and is already one of the most efficient jump-shooters in the league. To me, he’s got the total package. Rick Carlisle agrees:
“I can just tell you this: I’ve gotten more unsolicited messages about this kid as an amazing person, amazing player, a leader.. it’s been boundless,” Carlisle said. “The guy plays with joy. He’s a special young player.”
No matter how Domantas Sabonis plays in Sacramento, this trade made all the sense in the world for Indiana. It’s a guard-driven league, and while Sabonis has two years left on his contract, the Pacers could keep Haliburton for the next decade.
When describing his own game to Jeremiah Johnson, Haliburton said this: “I’m a point guard that likes to get guys involved. I bring a good energy and a great spirit to the game…after all it’s just a child’s game that we get paid a lot of money to play. I just want to win, I will do whatever it takes to win.”
Haliburton finished with 23 points, six assists, three rebounds, and three steals in his debut. He did have six turnovers and was hard on himself after the game. “I was bad in the 4th,” he said. “I could have been a lot better. Six turnovers- that’s not who I am at all. I’m hard on myself. I want to be better and I will be better.”
For the first time in a long time, the Pacers have direction. They have excitement. And they have something to build around. Last year’s draft already gave the Pacers a head start in their rebuild with Duarte and Jackson. Now you add Haliburton, three good draft picks, cap space for free agency, and some solid veterans who could stay or be dealt for more this summer.
“I think there’s a journey starting here with some young players and some existing players,” said Kevin Pritchard. “But I feel as good about our direction as I have in quite some time.”
The Pacers got a glimpse of their future, while still adding another loss for their draft-pick odds. For this team’s situation- that’s a good night.
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