The Indiana Pacers have consistently had a player in the all-star game over the last decade, including Paul George, Victor Oladipo, and Domantas Sabonis. But there was uncertainty that the streak would continue, which is important because Indy has the all-star game next season.
A new report from Bleacher Report makes predictions about the all-star lineups for both the Eastern and Western Conferences, and if the predictions are true, the Indiana Pacers will soon have another all-star in the circle city.
Eastern Starters
Donovan Mitchell
Tyrese Haliburton
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jayson Tatum
Kevin Durant
Eastern Reserves
Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Pascal Siakam, Jalen Brunson, Bam Adebayo
Some interesting results, the biggest of interest to us as 8 points, 9 seconds is Haliburton being an all-star starter. This may be a bit of a challenge for the young player to achieve, even if he is deserving. And in the west Bleacher Report has:
Western Starters
Luka Doncic
Stephen Curry
Nikola Jokic
Zion Williamson
Anthony Davis
Western Reserves
Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lebron James, Domantas Sabonis, Paul George, Damien Lillard, Ja Morant
So what do we think about this list? Obviously as Pacers fans, it would be amazing to see Tyrese Haliburton as an eastern conference starter, as he is obviously deserving. But you have to spend a moment to think about who he will be competing with for that spot?
Someone like Kyrie Irving will have enough of the popular vote that it will be difficult to get Tyrese in as the starter (even though Tyrese is without question playing better than Irving is). Small markets are always at a disadvantage given the voting process of getting players from their teams into the starting lineup.
Additionally, players such as Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry, among others will get a legacy boost that Tyrese will need to overcome in order to become the starter.
It’s worth pointing out that there are some interesting things on the western side of Bleacher Report’s ballot as well. The biggest of which is that Lebron James would not be starting the all-star game for the first time in who knows how long. Additionally, Zion Williamson being a starter seems to be a bit of a reach of the young player.
Our personal thoughts? The list is likely a list of who is deserving to start and play on the team. The problem will be that the votes never seem to shake out that way, and 2023 will be no different.
If you want to vote for Tyrese Haliburton for NBA All-star you can do so here.