LAS VEGAS The top four seeds in the Eastern Conference playoffs from the previous season, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks, were defeated by the Indiana Pacers en route to the NBA’s in-season tournament championship game.
Tyrese Haliburton says that this feels like a storybook ending to Indiana’s coming-out party over the past few months. Indiana will now play the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James in the championship game on Saturday, with the right to be the first team to lift the NBA Cup on the line.
“Like any kid born in 2000, LeBron was my favorite player growing up,” Haliburton remarked on Friday afternoon following Indiana’s practice at T-Mobile Arena. “It’s difficult for him not to be for many of us.” Before I was drafted, I had been a fan of the Cavs, the Heat, the Cavs again, and the Lakers. It was just the way it was.
It will be a lot of fun to be able to compete against him in a championship match; it will almost feel like a storybook ending. But getting to compete against your idols every night is one of the best things about being in the NBA. I’m really excited about that.”
The Pacers have been anticipating this tournament since it was announced, viewing it as a chance to make a name for themselves in the NBA after missing the playoffs for the previous four seasons. As for Haliburton, he is expected to become a household name following his first All-Star selection from the previous season and his participation in Team USA’s FIBA World Cup this summer.
Thus far, the Pacers have defeated every well-known player and opponent that has faced them, including defeating the Bucks and Celtics in the last few days to secure their spot in Saturday’s championship game.
In the NBA, however, facing LeBron James and the Lakers is the biggest thing. James, who turns 39 later this month, led his team to a decisive victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.
Coach of the Pacers Rick Carlisle is extremely impressed with how James is performing in his 21st NBA season. Carlisle has witnessed James in significant moments in the past, most notably in the 2011 NBA Finals when his Dallas Mavericks defeated James and the Miami Heat to win the NBA title.
Carlisle stated, “LeBron James is still in his prime.” “I’m having a great time watching this guy last night. I was just given the stat about this guy. He is the only player in NBA history to have held the titles of both youngest and oldest player in the competition. That clearly indicates an incredible run of longevity and greatness in his case.
“He is the all-time top scorer and one of the guys on the NBA Mount Rushmore, if there is such a place.” That’s the challenge that awaits us tomorrow. We face him, Anthony Davis, and numerous other elite players who are currently experiencing a surge in competition.
“We’re very busy right now. However, this is the kind of challenge that you have to love if you’re the Indiana Pacers and you’re in the process of making the climb and you want great experience.”
The Pacers have accepted this exact type of challenge time and time again during the tournament. Reaching the postseason has been established as the team’s objective for this season. This is a young team with several players, most notably Haliburton, waiting to make the playoffs for the first time.
And Indiana feels that going through this experience and defeating the best teams the Pacers have faced to get here has helped to both establish Indiana as a major player and prepare this team for the challenges that lie ahead.
Myles Turner, the center for the Pacers, stated, “I think it’s a step in that direction.” “Until we reach the ultimate objective of making it to the playoffs and progressing there, I don’t think we’re completely accomplished. However, this is a fantastic little prelude to it. Guys get to witness our playing style and how thrilling it is to watch us perform. Naturally, though, winning a championship is always good for your organization, team spirit, and morale in general.”
But defeating James is necessary to win the championship this coming weekend. Pacers guard T.J. McConnell also stated he is currently on a path to giving Father Time its first loss, following James’ earlier this week remarks that he is trying to accomplish that.
“They’re on a roll and LeBron … Father Time’s usually undefeated, but he’s beating him right now,” McConnell stated. “So it’s, he’s playing at an incredible level and their whole team is, so we got to be locked in and be ready for a full 48 minutes.”
