Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers’ impressive journey to the NBA Cup final on December 9 (December 10, Singapore time) has set the stage for a showdown with basketball icon LeBron James and the legendary Los Angeles Lakers.
This inaugural in-season tournament has become a showcase for Haliburton and the Pacers, a team among the 10 NBA franchises yet to secure a league championship. Having triumphed over the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, the youthful Pacers now face their most formidable challenge against LeBron James, the all-time scoring leader, and the Lakers.
Indiana’s coach, Rick Carlisle, sees the match-up with the Lakers as a crucial test for his emerging team, which he describes as “somewhere on the climb” to becoming title contenders. James, who approaches his 39th birthday on December 30, recently displayed his enduring prowess with a 30-point masterclass in the Lakers’ 133-89 semi-final victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Carlisle lauded James, emphasizing that the four-time NBA champion is “still in his prime.” The forthcoming clash promises to be a captivating moment in the Pacers’ quest for NBA glory.
“It’s phenomenal,” he said. “It’s an amazing run of longevity and, in his case, greatness.
“He’s the all-time leading scorer, and that’s what we’re up against tomorrow. We’re up against him and Anthony Davis and a lot of other very good players that are on a real uptick right now competitively.
“We’ve got our hands full. But if you’re the Indiana Pacers and you’re in the process of making the climb and you want great experience, this is the kind of challenge that you’ve got to love.”
Haliburton, who grew up a James fan, calls him “the gold standard of basketball players”.
“Like any kid born in 2000, LeBron was my favorite player growing up,” he said. “That’s the great part about being in the NBA, it is getting to compete against your idols on a nightly basis. I really look forward to that.”
Setting aside any prior allegiances, Haliburton and his youthful teammates are eager to play the role of spoiler in the Lakers’ quest to add another accolade to their already illustrious trophy case.
“We’re not supposed to be here and nobody expected us to be here,” Haliburton added. “We’ve been probably looked at to lose the majority of our tournament games.
“Boston game we definitely weren’t supposed to win. Milwaukee, we definitely weren’t supposed to win. That’s just been part of the storybook of this. It’s not done yet.”
The Pacers aim to tire out the Lakers with their up-tempo offense, a style that has captivated fans and worn down opponents in four group-stage victories and the knockout rounds.
Tyrese Haliburton has taken on the role of the primary orchestrator for an offense that boasts an impressive average of over 128 points per game. Leading the league in assists with a remarkable 12 per game, Haliburton showcased his playmaking prowess in the semi-final win over the Bucks, contributing 15 assists alongside 27 points, all without committing a turnover. His performance underscores his crucial role in the Pacers’ offensive prowess as they strive for success against the Lakers.
“You definitely have to have your track shoes on, come with the energy,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of what it will take to beat the Pacers.
Despite acknowledging the Pacers’ offensive prowess, there is confidence that the Lakers, who are regaining their form after early-season injuries, led by the exceptional performance of LeBron James, possess the necessary tools to emerge victorious.
“You hear and feel James’ presence all over the place, and the guys respond,” he added. AFP