Indiana Pacers: What we need to learn from the Miami Heat
By Joe Lyon
You only need one true leader to build a franchise around, and the mentality of that leader is key.
Today’s NBA continues to be fascinated with super teams, yet here are the Miami Heat who have repeatedly made the NBA finals without one. Their best player, Jimmy Butler, wouldn’t crack many analysts top five in the NBA, yet alone top ten, but they continue to perform in the playoffs. How is this so?
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Most of it comes down to leadership and how one player can inspire those around them and build a culture where everyone is valued. This seems apparent in the locker room in Miami as Butler and co. talk during media.
What the Pacers can learn: Tyrese Haliburton may be the only true superstar we need on the team. With his leadership and inspiring personality, perhaps, the team can completely build the franchise around him, similar to the Heat and Jimmy Butler. Of course Haliburton will need co-stars such as Turner (Adebayo) and Mathurin (Herro). But it can be done without selling your future for another superstar that may or may not want to leave in a few years.
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The Pacers can get there if we just learn these key lessons. Without them, we may just find ourselves following a losing strategy.