With a matchup against the Lakers for the final game of the in-season tournament, the Indiana Pacers have the chance to send a message to the world. For young stud Tyrese Haliburton, it’s a chance for him to take up his mantle as one of the best in the world against one of his childhood idols.
“Like any kid born in 2000, LeBron was my favorite player growing up,” said Hali. “To be able to compete against him in a championship is a storybook and it’s gonna be a lot of fun!”
Haliburton on facing LeBron:
"Like any kid born in 2000, LeBron was my favorite player growing up. … To be able to compete against him in a championship is a storybook and it's gonna be a lot of fun!" pic.twitter.com/vB12aIpiJF
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 8, 2023
It’s pretty wild that a star like Tyrese Haliburton is preparing to go to battle against a player he grew up watching as a kid, but that’s just the story with LeBron, who continues to dominate in his 21st season. Somehow, even after two decades of greatness, James is still one of the best in the world, and the path to the in-season tournament goes through him. Tomorrow will be a big test for Tyrese and his Pacers team and if they can come out with a win, it could lead to people taking them a bit more seriously in the East.
LeBron’s Amazing Longevity
Haliburton is blown away by LeBron’s performance this season, and so is most of the NBA community. Since being drafted in 2003, the hype has been nonstop for James, who was hailed as the “chosen one” in his very first season. Eventually, James proved himself by going to Miami and winning a championship, an event that Haliburton likely witnessed for himself on TV.
At the time, nobody thought that LeBron would be a top-five player at almost 40 years old, but that’s exactly what he’s on pace for right now with averages of 25.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. Somehow, despite having logged over 54,000 minutes in his career, James is playing some of the best basketball of his life and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle even suggested that he’s still in his prime.
Who Will Win The IST?
Haliburton has only faced LeBron and the Lakers a handful of times in his career but there’s nobody that’s better suited for the task of wiping them out. On Saturday, the Pacers will have a chance to do just that and the team is playing like they’ve got something to prove. On the other side, the Lakers have been dominating the tournament so far with a ridiculous net rating and an undefeated record.
The game is a matchup between a high-powered offense and a powerful defense, but nobody can say for sure who has the edge. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Purple and Gold have a core they know can win together and they should never be counted out when fully healthy. But to overcome this fast and quick Pacers squad, the Lakers will need to play a complete game on both ends of the floor. Regardless of the results, the finals should be an entertaining spectacle for the fans, and especially for Haliburton who will get the opportunity to defeat his childhood idol under the brightest lights yet.
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