Paul George and Tyrese Haliburton talk Indiana Pacers, Haliburton's contract, and more on Podcast P
Two Indiana Pacers All-Star talents had a long conversation recently as current Pacer Tyrese Haliburton and former Pacer Paul George chatted for over two hours on George's podcast, Podcast P.
George and Haliburton discussed many topics concerning the NBA and Haliburton's journey, with which topical due to Haliburton signing a five-year, $260 million contract extension. He is now tied to the Pacers through the 2028-29 season.
Haliburton shared with George that he knew an extension could possibly be coming for about six months leading up to the summer. The Pacers felt it was the most important thing for them to get done this offseason, Haliburton added, and a deal was completed quickly. Despite the large dollar figure, Haliburton isn't putting any more pressure on himself. He has always just wanted to win, and that's still his main goal.
The Pacers current All-Star then discussed some of the conversations he had with his father after signing the extension. "Your mom ain't never held a million dollars in her hand," Haliburton recalled his dad, John, saying.
The two also discussed Haliburton's rise in basketball, including what encouraged him to start playing and the moment he thought he might one day be in the NBA. Both players described themselves as late bloomers, and their shared experience made for interesting conversation.
Later, the pair of stars dove into Indiana as a franchise. Both players are impressed by the team's training staff and culture, and they each had stories to share about fines and being on time. Those little things have been important to the blue and gold for years.
Haliburton had other positive things to say about the Pacers, and he is grateful that the franchise took a chance on him in 2022 via trade. The team being in a rebuilding phase allowed the 23-year old to grow and become the player he is now. Buddy Hield, one of Haliburton's closest friends in the league, being in the deal helped too.
As Haliburton and George continued, they discussed the current Pacers roster. Haliburton gushed about teammate Bennedict Mathurin's confidence and head coach Rick Carlisle's trust in him. Carlisle has allowed Haliburton to call plays and run the offense in the past, and that has been significant for the blue and gold.
Now, Indiana is looking to take a step forward and win a playoff series for the first time since George was on the roster. The now-Clippers forward was the best player on two Indiana squads that reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
To get closer to contending, the Pacers brought in some new talent this offseason. They drafted Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard in the first round, and they grabbed Bruce Brown (via free agency) and Obi Toppin (via trade) with their cap space. The blue and gold have a deeper, and better, team now.
"I think both of them are going to be really good fits," Haliburton said of Toppin and Brown. He tweeted earlier in the offseason that his goal is to make the playoffs this coming year.
In the nearly 130 minute conversation, the two cover many more topics, including Haliburton's upcoming stint with Team USA, some of Haliburton's weaknesses on the court, and why the Pacers guard tracks his turnovers. It's an informative chat — George has become a talented interviewer since starting his podcast just over four months ago.
Anyone can listen to the entire conversation here. For more recent interviews involving Pacers players, click here to hear Myles Turner chat with Gilbert Arenas about the Pacers and here to learn more about Bruce Brown's career via a conversation he had with Theo Pinson.
- Tyrese Haliburton hosts basketball camp in Indianapolis, talks Indiana Pacers offseason and Summer League. CLICK HERE.
- Jarace Walker exclusive: On his early time with the Indiana Pacers, gaming, development, and more. CLICK HERE.
- Reports: Indiana Pacers have 'reached out' about Pascal Siakam trade with Toronto Raptors. CLICK HERE.
- Bennedict Mathurin shows strengths and growth areas for Indiana Pacers during Summer League play. CLICK HERE.
- Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All Pacers SI
- Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers
