Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton finally came out on the winning side with a gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Can he translate what he experienced in Paris to a winning culture in Indiana?
Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton’s Taste of Gold Can Reap Benefits Next Season
Tyrese Haliburton Gets A Taste Of Winning In Paris
Since entering the NBA, Haliburton has speedily surged up the league’s top player ranks. He is fast, agile, an excellent long-distance shooter, and a true pacesetter in the game today. Haliburton had his best season last year after leading the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers were also the runner-up in the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup. Most recently? Haliburton left Paris, France, with his first Olympic gold medal.
Despite his limited role in the Summer Games, Haliburton’s potential is undeniable. With a slew of future Hall of Famers and superstars ahead of him, his time to shine is yet to come. The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles could be the stage where Haliburton, representing Team USA, takes on a more prominent role.
As the Pacers continue to improve, judging by their success last season, Haliburton is the man to instill motivation to mirror and surpass that success. Signing a five-year, $260 million max contract extension in 2023 cemented Haliburton as the team’s leader for years to come.
Indiana Pacers 2024-25 Season
The Pacers showcased last year that they’re one of the quickest and most fast-paced teams in the NBA. They move the ball so rapidly that opponents must match their pace before their skill. The youthful energy they bring to the game is evident in their play. Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Isaiah Jackson, and Haliburton lead the young gun coalition. NBA veterans Myles Turner and former Toronto Raptors All-Star Pascal Siakam bring miles, no pun intended, and experience to the floor.
Indiana finished sixth in the Eastern Conference last year, barely avoiding the play-in tournament. The postseason saw the Pacers go through the Milwaukee Bucks in the opening round. The second round displayed an exciting, bare-knuckled, high-intensity-filled battle with the New York Knicks. Indiana also prevailed there before eventually losing to the Boston Celtics. The upcoming season will be a test for the Pacers to see if they can return to the Eastern Conference Finals or if they find themselves coming up short.
With Siakam on board for good following his re-signing this summer, Haliburton has a legitimate running mate. Turner’s impact comes from the paint as one of the game’s best shot blockers. It’s setting up other guys for shots, driving the ball to the basket, and shooting the mid-range effectively that Siakam can help Haliburton the most. Both players averaged 20+ points last year, and their playing styles complement each other in pace and shooting.
Olympic Gold Aftermath
Haliburton has now been a part of a winning team and culture. Experiencing how to win has to be a massive takeaway from this Olympic experience. Learning under and winning beside LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant has to be a motivational kick-starter for Haliburton from here on out. Witnessing firsthand how those three players lead? Even better.
If Haliburton can take every inch of his Olympic experience with him into next season, it could propel the Pacers even further than last year. Establishing himself as the team’s vocal leader and elevating his game from all-star caliber to NBA superstar category, Haliburton and the Pacers can make some serious noise. Look for the Pacers, led by Haliburton, to be right in the thick of things come playoff time. Here’s hoping for a rematch with the Knicks.
