Tyrese Haliburton was a guest on Paul George’s podcast on Monday’s episode and the Indiana Pacers current and former stars talked about many subjects involving the team.
“Indy going up!” George said about the Pacers adding Bruce Brown and Obi Toppin. “I see y’all.”
George highlighted adding the championship experience of Brown and the complementary nature that Toppin brings with Haliburton, adding, “I’m looking forward to that.”
“It’s exciting. I think both of them are going to be really good fits,” Haliburton said of his new teammates. “I’ve known Obi since we were in college and did a Finish Line commercial together … Bruce adds something we don’t have yet. You can plug him in anywhere and he just makes things happen.”
While George talked about how it was hard for Indiana to attract free agents during his time there, PG moved the discussion to the very structured culture of the Pacers organization.
“I wouldn’t say it was military but it was damn near close,” George said of his time with Pacers. “…They still fine for like being in late or…?”
“Everything,” Haliburton replied. “Everything, bro.”
“I loved that!” George said sincerely.
Haliburton talked about how players have set times to get treatment and can expect a fine waiting for them in their locker if they are even two minutes late getting into the treatment room.
Both players talked about how it wasn’t like that at other places they’ve played and how they respected the professionalism of it all and how it sets the tone for the organization.
“I love it because I’ve been places where guys will trickle in whenever they want to,” George said. “… With Indy, everyone was in the arena at least an hour before practice. That does so much for a team.”
Both guys lamented about how in other places there would be guys that wouldn’t show up until just a few minutes before practice because they didn’t have to be in the building for treatment or to lift weights.
1:25:46 Bennedict Mathurin & Rick Carlisle
They also talked about the ultra-confidence that Bennedict Mathurin has in himself.
“What makes Benn so special is his confidence,” Haliburton said of his teammate. “To say he’s confident is like the biggest undersell I’ve ever heard in my life. He is the most confident person I have ever met.”
He talked about how their relationship has been growing through his time in Indiana so far and how he sees them “being apart of this together for a long time.”
George talked about how he thinks Mathurin has “that it to him” and Haliburton said he thinks he has all the tools and ability to be a great defender.
The conversation turned towards Rick Carlisle and Haliburton gave specific details about how he appreciates the freedom and honesty he’s received from his coach.
1:34:36 Relationship with Reggie Miller
George talked about how at the time he was kind of hurt that he never really developed a strong relationship with Miller and being young he thought he would have more of a mentor in the Pacers legend that he had a lot in common with but now understands why that didn’t happen.
“There’s no shade. I don’t want it misconstrued about the relationship with Reggie,” George clarified. “I understand he’s busy … that was just my feeling at the time like getting drafted there … we have kind of similar backgrounds. … I was like at some point I’m going to learn some shit from Reggie. But I get it in hindsight, fast forward to now understanding the game a lot and how busy life is. I was kind of hurt at the time though.”
Haliburton talked about how the organization wanted him to call Reggie last year and he was a little hesitant to do so because he just didn’t want to bug him. They do have a personal relationship now and they text. Haliburton is also looking forward to one day sitting down with him and really talking about basketball.
In this section, both players talk about how they talk to each other often and that George has been a mentor for Haliburton since he’s been in the NBA and they discuss meeting Larry Bird in embarrassing situations.
In other parts of the pod, George and Haliburton discussed his new extension, playing for team USA, what they feel like their weaknesses are as players, and drafted a starting lineup of best passers that they’ve played with or against. Use the YouTube link above or search Podcast P on any of the typical places to get a podcast to hear the full conversation.
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