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[Jolly Sports News] In a recent GQ interview, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton shared his frustration about his team being overlooked last season.
While the playoffs brought some recognition, Haliburton acknowledged that true respect comes from achieving ultimate success.
“All I keep seeing is, ‘Who’s going to win the East? Boston, Milwaukee, New York, or Philly?’” Haliburton said. “It’s like, what are we doing [not being included]? But again, we’re Indiana. People didn’t watch us play until the playoffs, until the second round. Respect comes with winning, so we need to keep having success as a team. And it’s coming.”
The Pacers started the 2024-25 season strong, with Haliburton playing at an elite level. Despite a promising start, the team faltered towards the end, and even the addition of Pascal Siakam couldn’t save their season.
However, they made a surprising run to the Conference Finals, winning series against the Bucks and Knicks.
With the additions of Siakam and Obi Toppin, the Pacers improved their defense, but Haliburton remains the driving force. The 2-time All-Star averaged 20.1 points, 10.9 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game last season, leading the Pacers to the 6th seed despite injuries and a mid-season trade.
For Haliburton, true validation will come from playoff success. He showed promise during the mid-season tournament and the Eastern Conference Finals. To solidify their status as an elite team, the Pacers will need to win a championship.
With Haliburton and Siakam leading the way, the Pacers are in a good position to be competitive in the East for years to come. They hope to follow the Celtics’ example by winning a title and ending any doubts about their status.
