Indiana Pacers fans know exactly how special Tyrese Haliburton is. And on a recent episode of the "Mind the Game" podcast, Los Angeles Lakers star and basketball legend LeBron James made it clear he does as well.
Haliburton made an appearance on James' podcast earlier this year, and it seems like he left an impact. The four-time NBA champion called Haliburton one of his "favorite teammates" from the 2024 Paris Olympics, and he also praised his love for basketball.
"We both know him very well," James said to Steve Nash about Haliburton. "He's a student of the game. I think a lot of our viewers that watch 'Mind the Game' and even people that maybe don't watch it ... they got an opportunity just to know not only why but how special he is and what he does on the floor and how it translates.
"His love for the game, you can hear it in his voice. You can hear it in his message. He's a great kid. It was my first time spending an extended period of time with him during the Olympic trip, and [he was] definitely one of my favorite teammates coming out of that whole experience. Just an unbelievable kid, man. I love everything that's coming his way. He's special.
The sky is the limit for Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers
Haliburton has already established himself as one of the NBA's best young point guards on the court. He is an elite facilitator and playmaker and is the engine of one of the league's most exciting offenses.
But it also seems like the Wisconsin native is successful for reasons just beyond his talent. As James said, he has a love for the game and has a high basketball IQ. Many have compared him to Steve Nash (which is ironic given the podcast), and while it's way too early to put him in those conversations, it's understandable.
Nash is a Hall of Famer and is one of the best point guards to ever play the game for a reason. He was a legendary playmaker while also being a real scoring threat. Sure, he was talented, but being able to make a pass to set up a teammate as opposed to knowing when to do it is what separates the good from the great. And this is something that applies to both Nash and Haliburton.
It's easy to forget sometimes that Haliburton is turning just 26 years old later this month with all he's accomplished. He is already a two-time All-NBA team selection, a two-time All-Star, a one-time assists leader, and a one-time Olympic gold medalist. Additionally, he led the Pacers to their first conference finals in over a decade in 2024 and their first NBA Finals appearance in over two decades just one year later.
Times are tough for Haliburton and the Pacers right now as he recovers from a torn Achilles, but he should be able to get back to form soon enough and remind the basketball world just how dominant he and the team can be. And it could all start with another NBA Finals appearance as soon as next year as they aim to finish what they started.