Tyrese Haliburton: Pacers’ Superstar Rise
Tyrese Haliburton’s transition into an NBA superstar isn’t just luck; it’s a testament to sharpened scoring aggressiveness. Discover how a challenge from skills trainer Drew Hanlen ignited this change, pushing Haliburton to elevate his game. His career-high 38-point game and subsequent trade to the Indiana Pacers are clear indicators of his burgeoning talent. The primary_keyword, scoring aggressiveness, became crucial to his growth, while his confidence, frequently enough wavering, found its footing through Hanlen’s guidance and the mantra of “the orange thing” – a constant reminder of the rim. Learn how this shift influenced his performance and fueled the Indiana Pacers’ success. For in-depth analysis, News directory 3 has all the angles. Discover what’s next …
Tyrese Haliburton’s Superstar Leap Fueled by Scoring Aggressiveness
Updated June 6, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton’s ascent to NBA stardom may seem recent, highlighted by his Reggie Miller tribute, a near-perfect Game 4 against the Knicks, and a game-winning shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. His Pacers defeated the Thunder 111-110.
Haliburton’s charm was on full display during postgame interviews, joking with Scott van pelt about the pacers’ initial underdog status. He even showcased his new Puma signature shoe, attributing his clutch shots to the footwear.
This season, Haliburton has made 13 of 15 game-tying or game-winning attempts in the final two minutes, marking the best field goal percentage since 1996-97, according to ESPN Research. however,those closest to Haliburton see this superstar leap as the culmination of years of work,beginning with a seemingly ordinary day in Philadelphia.
Back in January, Haliburton, then with the Sacramento Kings, felt something was missing. Averaging just 13.8 points, he wasn’t performing at the level expected of a player seeking a maximum contract extension. His agent, Dave Spahn, reached out to NBA skills trainer Drew Hanlen.
Hanlen agreed to meet with Haliburton but set a condition: Haliburton had to attempt at least 14 field goals in his next game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
“He told me I have to believe in myself before he believes in me,” Haliburton said after Game 1.
Hanlen, who also worked with Joel Embiid, had been studying Haliburton’s film amid trade discussions involving Ben Simmons. While impressed with Haliburton’s passing, hanlen worried his lack of scoring aggressiveness would limit his impact. Embiid encouraged Hanlen to continue evaluating Haliburton, noting unique aspects of his game.
On jan. 29, 2022, Haliburton took 19 shots, making 11 and scoring a career-high 38 points.Ten days later, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers. he has worked with Hanlen ever since, focusing on increasing his scoring mentality.
“Sometimes being too unselfish is actually being selfish,” Hanlen said. “The more aggressive he is, the more his team wins.”
Haliburton’s confidence has fluctuated. Months ago, a lack of playing time on the Olympic team and a lingering hamstring injury affected him. This impacted the Pacers’ early-season performance. even his signature shoes carry a deeper meaning, as Haliburton once doubted he deserved them.
“He’s always used negativity and doubt to fuel him,” Hanlen said. “But then he started buying into it and believing it. We had to get him past that.”
Recently, Haliburton shared a post highlighting the Pacers’ increased win rate when he attempts more shots. Hanlen was pleased to see Haliburton focusing on this statistic before his first NBA Finals game.
Hanlen’s slogan, “the orange thing,” encourages Haliburton to focus on the rim. While increased aggressiveness can lead to bad shots for some players, Hanlen trusts Haliburton to make the right decisions when attacking the basket.
This focus on scoring aggressiveness began three years ago and continues to be a work in progress. After Haliburton took only seven shots in a Game 5 loss to the Knicks, Hanlen visited him in Indianapolis to prepare for Game 6, even leaving “orange things” outside his door as a reminder.
Following Game 1 against the Thunder, Haliburton, reflecting on his 13 shot attempts, said, “I know I was terrible. I made the shot and everything, but there’s a lot of room for improvement. I can be better.”
What’s next
Haliburton and hanlen will likely continue to emphasize scoring aggressiveness as the Pacers navigate the NBA Finals,aiming for Haliburton to consistently seek opportunities to attack the basket and create scoring chances.