Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton talks motivation from Jeff Van Gundy and why he isn’t searching for respect

Tyrese Haliburton has been on the sort of run over the previous calendar yr youngsters dream about.

The 24-year-old Indiana Pacers level guard began within the 2024 NBA All-Star Recreation in Indianapolis, led his crew to its first Japanese Convention finals look in a decade, made third crew All-NBA to set off a $40 million bonus in his most contract extension and gained a gold medal alongside Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant within the Paris Olympics.

Haliburton is not the missed Wisconsin native with the funny-looking jumper. He’s the face of the Pacers, with hopes of doing what Reggie Miller as soon as did: Main Indiana to the NBA Finals. It’s a heavy burden, however Haliburton is deeply motivated by those that query his legitimacy — particularly these he respects.

“Why haven’t you gained but?” he remembers Jeff Van Gundy asking him in the course of the FIBA World Cup final yr. It’s a query that enraged and fueled him.

Now, with a convention finals look and gold medal beneath his belt, Haliburton can lastly inform Van Gundy he has gained. However he is aware of that gained’t be sufficient. Not for Van Gundy, and never for himself.

One particular yr might be a fluke. However one other? That would change the league’s pecking order. Forward of his fifth season within the NBA and third full season with the Pacers, Haliburton spoke to The Athletic about his rise and his want to maintain climbing.

This interview has been flippantly edited for readability.

You had a busier summer season than ordinary whereas enjoying for Staff USA within the Olympics. What was it wish to win the gold but in addition get benched in a number of the video games? Are you able to keep in mind the final time you didn’t play and also you have been wholesome?

No, I by no means had that have in my life. I feel these are particular circumstances, being surrounded by 11 of the best gamers on the planet, in order that’s all part of it.

For me, if you take a look at one thing like that, everyone has needed to pay their dues sooner or later. I had numerous conversations with (LeBron James), (Dwyane) Wade and (Carmelo Anthony) on the market. These guys all performed within the 2004 Olympics and didn’t actually get to play a ton or as a lot as they needed to. They sort of obtained a little bit style of being benched.

So, I feel it’s all part of it. I’m not greater than anyone group, and I’m not too proud to verify my ego on the door for an even bigger aim. We gained a gold medal, and I get to inform my youngsters that I used to be part of one of many best groups ever assembled.

Past the on-court expertise on the Olympics, what was it like to choose the mind of your friends?

It was actually huge. Even with a man like Jrue Vacation, who’s gained two championships and been within the league so lengthy and performed completely different roles, I feel it’s been superb.

I’m simply actually grateful for the expertise I had, the fellows I obtained to be round and the relationships that I fashioned. As a result of it’s not solely the fellows on the crew, however I feel the teaching workers, from coach (Steve Kerr to Tyronn Lue to Van Gundy).

Van Gundy was an enormous a part of my motivation going into this final yr as a result of with the (2023 FIBA) World Cup crew, he simply saved difficult me. Like, ‘Why haven’t you gained but?’ And I might provide you with all of those excuses as to why I haven’t gained, however the reality of the matter was I hadn’t gained. So all I might take into consideration all yr was how a lot Van Gundy pissed me off.

However it was actual, although, and that’s why I like JVG. That was an actual problem that he had for me. (It’s) why I’m grateful for that man and why we have now an amazing relationship.

The following problem, I assume, is carrying your Olympic expertise and success into the NBA season. How a lot do you take note of the panorama of the East, with Karl-Anthony Cities becoming a member of the New York Knicks and Paul George becoming a member of the Philadelphia 76ers?

Our league, there’s a lot motion all the time. Guys wish to be traded, guys get traded, tremendous groups are fashioned or regardless of the case could also be. However I’m actually targeted on my group.

I feel this coaching camp has been so refreshing as a result of that is probably the most continuity I’ve ever had in my profession. I’ve by no means had the identical defensive coach two years in a row in my profession. That is the primary time I’ve ever had that with (Pacers assistants Jenny Boucek and Jim Boylen) operating our protection. I’ve by no means had consistency offensively. And with the teaching workers, this the primary time I’ve had it the place there’s been no teaching motion. We now have the identical teaching workers, not to mention the identical group of fellows. So, that is actually refreshing, actually thrilling, as a result of it’s much less about instructing and extra of the element work and sophisticated stuff and attending to these (phases) faster. That’s been so refreshing and so enjoyable for me, and I feel that’s gonna make us so good shifting ahead.

However pay attention, on the finish of the day, each crew within the NBA can do no matter they wish to do. We’re all nonetheless chasing Boston.

Pascal Siakam mentioned on the finish of final season that successful is delicate and also you all can’t simply anticipate to be again within the Japanese Convention finals yearly. What’s the steadiness of cherishing what you all completed but in addition turning the web page and chasing a brand new problem?

We had an amazing yr. We did some particular issues. However for me, being trustworthy with you, we didn’t do something, to me, that we weren’t presupposed to do. We had that expectation as a gaggle, and I mentioned that each one final yr. We anticipated to do what we did.

However we wish extra, and I feel we should be grasping. For those who actually wish to win, you actually wish to do one thing particular, you gotta be grasping. I’m not happy with one Japanese Convention finals berth. That’s not sufficient for me. I need much more for my profession, and so can we as a crew. … We now have so many guys that play with this huge chip on their shoulder, and I feel that begins from the highest with me and Pascal.

Whereas getting ready for what you intend on being an amazing season, you additionally had a courtside seat at numerous Indiana Fever video games this summer season whereas they made their first playoff look since 2016. Because the NBA’s assists chief, what was it like to observe the WNBA’s help chief, Caitlin Clark, flip town up?

It’s tremendous dope as a result of I’m such a basketball junkie. After I advised Caitlin I genuinely watch numerous ladies’s basketball, I feel she was stunned that I actually know quite a bit in regards to the recreation. I feel it’s actually cool, and I simply actually appreciated her and all that she does and watching her. She’s superb and he or she’s so particular.

… I feel I do see some issues typically that she sees earlier than different folks see it. That’s a part of the fantastic thing about the sport and simply having an amazing passing thoughts. However I feel she even sees some issues typically that I don’t, and I feel I see some issues that she doesn’t. I feel that’s one other a part of the fantastic thing about being an amazing guard in our (respective leagues).

I do know you’re huge into vogue and not too long ago simply signed a shoe take care of PUMA. Why’d you select them? And does this imply your coach Rick Carlisle will likely be sporting PUMA now too?

All people’s been hitting my line. All people needs (new PUMAs). All people’s excited in regards to the partnership and what we have now deliberate for it as a result of everyone round me is aware of how a lot I benefit from the artistic technique of issues.

My thoughts, I work so creatively to take action many issues. That’s why numerous my mates, my household and my teammates are so excited to see what we have now in retailer as a result of they know I wouldn’t resolve to go along with a model in the event that they didn’t have some artistic issues in thoughts. I feel that’s why everyone is so excited and needs to know the whole lot. However I can’t inform everyone the whole lot instantly …

I’ll attempt with Rick. It’s a piece in progress. You gotta perceive, we’re from completely different generations (laughs). However yeah, I’m positive we’ll be seeing him in some PUMAs shifting ahead. I’ve little question about that.

Made you look. #PUMAfam@PUMA @PUMAHoops pic.twitter.com/njC9vGmVcW

— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) October 8, 2024

So, you will have the brand new shoe deal, you will have the gold medal, you will have the large contract, you will have success as a person and as a crew. Do you suppose you will have the respect? How do you suppose you’re considered within the league now versus if you first got here in?

That’s an amazing query, and that’s a posh query for me. As a result of to be trustworthy with you, I feel I’ve gotten to the purpose the place I don’t actually care. I don’t actually care how I’m considered. I do know who I’m. My group is aware of who I’m. My coaches, my family members, they know who I’m. And on the finish of the day, the rivals know who I’m as a result of they must scout and be ready to play towards my group. So, I don’t actually care at this level. I feel for me it’s nearly being one of the best participant I could be, and no matter that’s, is for different folks to speak about and resolve.

However I simply suppose that I’ve been blessed to be within the place that I’m to have this God-given potential to play basketball at a excessive degree, to speak and lead at a excessive degree. My job, truthfully, as a servant is to squeeze out and maximize each ounce of potential that I’ve whereas I’m right here. I don’t know what that’s. Some folks might say that someday that might imply being one of many best guards ever. Some folks might say I’ve already maximized who I’m. However I actually don’t care.

I simply know that I’m 24 years previous, and there’s numerous room for me to develop. I’m gonna get there, and I’m simply wanting ahead to the journey.

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(Picture of Tyrese Haliburton: Justin Casterline / Getty Photos)