Tyrese Haliburton learning from NBA playoffs as he hopes to take Indiana Pacers there soon
CHICAGO — The Indiana Pacers are not in the postseason this year, but they hope to be next season. Kevin Pritchard, T.J. McConnell, and Tyrese Haliburton all discussed the team's playoff goals in their end-of-season press conferences last month.
With that goal in mind, the Pacers are studying this year's postseason. The games change in the playoffs, and Indiana will need to know what to expect in series play if they reach the postseason in 2023-24.
Haliburton, the face of the Pacers franchise, has been watching the playoffs and sharing his thoughts with team leaders and decision makers. He discussed what he's seeing and what is important for the Pacers at the NBA Draft Lottery this past week. He was the Pacers representative on stage for the drawing.
"I watch every playoff game. I text back and forth with [Rick] Carlisle, [Lloyd Pierce], Ron [Nored], Chad [Buchanan], [Kevin Pritchard], all series, every game it feels like. Because it's somewhere I want to be," Haiburton said. "We know that's the goal. So just watching and seeing how the game differentiates from regular season. I need to be in there, I need to be in the playoffs. That's the goal."
The Pacers have not reached the postseason since 2020, and they have not won a playoff game since 2018. The franchise, and the fanbase, wants to see postseason basketball again.
Indiana's style of play could require an adjustment from the regular season to the playoffs, Halibruton thinks. "You just see the game becomes a lot more half court oriented. Us being probably the most up tempo team in the NBA, to be in the playoffs and succeed in the playoffs, we'll have to play more of a half court style of basketball. But I feel like we're capable of it."
The blue and gold finished fifth in pace this past season, and Haliburton's elite transition abilities were a major part of that. They established an identity as an up-tempo team. But Haliburon is right that the team, and he himself, will have to build better habits in the halfcourt to improve as a team and be more threatening in the playoffs.
So far, he is taking steps toward making that a reality. The All-Star point guard has gained some weight via muscle this summer and has worked out with Pacers staff in Indy. "Most I've lifted ever in my life," Haliburton said, noting that he weighs roughly 193 pounds right now. He was closer to 180 last season.
Haliburton also went to the Bahamas with Buddy Hield for a break. But he is focused on improving both himself and his team this summer. That's necessary if he and the Pacers want to reach the playoffs once again.
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