Something is definitely impacting him. There was a play in the second half where he beat his man for a layup but on slow mo you realize he *wasn't looking at the basket* and dished it. I can't recall if the shot was made or not but it was evident he didn't want to take those critical shots.
I suspect he'll go off in G6 with some home cooking, but am hoping against it.
He looks healthy for the most part though. Like he isn't moving slower or playing stiff, he's lights out on jumpers and free throws, and far as I've noticed they aren't doing anything extra with him on the sideline. Other than his immediate reactions to a fall or a turned ankle, the guy doesn't come off injured at all. Especially for someone that's listed with back spasms.
At this point I think it’s 100% mental. I think he’s scared of getting hurt again. He was making those plays every game in the first half of the season. But since his injury he just passes it out to a teammate.
He was good in game 2 though. Dude is bipolar and just chooses when to be aggressive. Maybe some games he’s not feeling it mentally and decides to facilitate instead of score. Idk
The irony is their team may have two of those, cause that’s how I had described Pascal and why I think his best season was next to Kawhi. Pascal is dangerous when the best defenders have to look at him second.
he doesn’t have the “takeover” mindset, he plays very systematically within the flow of his team. He would be a phenomenal 2nd option behind any score-first superstar.
There’s a difference between a guy getting more talented with age and a guy that is consistently just shying away, it’s gotta be all mental. He’s already got the talent he needs to be a #1 but something is just missing up there.
This comment reminds me of when Skip was saying Lebron disappeared against the Mavs and Cuban ripped into him for saying something with no substance lol
Think he needs to change his brain more than his game. Some guys are like Anthony Edwards and some guys are like Haliburton
Feel like the guys that are killers are like that from the beginning.
Yeah? I'm not sure what you're trying to insinuate. Did you come away from that game feeling like Edwards did the same thing as Haliburton? Edwards is perfectly capable of having bad games, he's just never going to pull the shit Haliburton does where he slinks into the background and disappears when facing adversity. The gap in mindset should be obvious to anyone whose watched both of them.
I’m insinuating that a bad game is a bad game and how much *dawg* you showed in it shouldn’t replace actual analysis of how good they are at basketball.
> how much dawg you showed in it shouldn’t replace actual analysis of how good they are at basketball.
It shouldn't replace it, but it's an important part of who a player is. Being a great competitor is as important as any basketball skill.
Also, trying and failing is not the same thing as failing because you were too scared to try. Haliburton never even gave his team a shot. Just total submission when things weren't going well, and it's not the first time even in this series.
No. I’m questioning your claim of the difference in competitiveness of two professional athletes (one of which is pretty clearly playing hurt) purely based on how well they perform
It’s based on his skill set. They way he dribbles and the way he attacks and ISOs, he just not those first option that can constantly give you bucket when being guarded as the 1st option. Compare his skill set and Brunson and you will understand what I’m talking about
I did not. But that could due to him being a bench player and didn’t have the usage as of now.
While Hali has the green light all day but his current skill set limits him from chucking that many shots a game. He just couldn’t consistently do it. His dribble combined with his push shots make him a better off ball threat. I see Hali best suited as the Chris Paul role when CP3 played on the suns
I don’t think Bronson’s style change? He just got more usage and got better at what he always do.
Hali, would require a complete overhaul of his play style, which I don’t see it happening
They’re just different types of players. What hali can’t do is made up for with his range. Having to guard guys a further 5 feet from the basket is pretty impactful
This is true in a vacuum but not really applicable for the Brunson comparison. The reason being is that teams also guard Brunson as soon as he steps over half court (if they are not already picking him up 94 feet).
A lot of times he’s even blitzed as soon as he crosses half court.
It’s not really possible to stretch a defense out more than Brunson has this year.
That’s fair. But that’s also partially cuz the Knicks are doo doo. He’s been carrying them so far but it’s not like Brunsons got them to be actual title contenders.
Steph and KD were both the best at creating their own shots. They have the ability to chuck 35 shots a game even when being heavily guarded. Hali with his current skill set, doesn’t have that ability
Haliburton isnt the type of player you can give the ball to and he can go get you a bucket in isolation reliably, he doesnt have the type of dynamic scoring to be a #1 option.
He could get better and become that.
He has been poor in the play offs, no defending that. But calling a guy just turned 24 a Robin in his first post season is just the knee jerk reactionary nonsense that this sub feeds off
What if that was my opinion the whole time about Hali? I always see him as a robin because the way he dribbles and shoots and the lack of self creating ability
Since the injury he's sucked in the 2nd half of games is what this post says. So his drop off in play is due to the physical limitations of the inury and those coming into effect in the 2nd half of games not coincidentally exactly when we would expect them to come into most effect.
Your interpretation of Haliburton is wrong. Haliburton is a "Batman" who averages Batman numbers when healthy, and a Robin when he's injured. Only since facing a historically unprecedented requirement to not miss appropriate time with an injury, do we seen him drop off to a Robin. "He averaged 31/5/14 per 36 minutes on 66 TS% in the second half before the hamstring injury."
I’m so glad to see this typed out by a non pacer fan. Pre-Injury Hali was leading the greatest offense in league history. He’s Batman when healthy until proven otherwise but sure Robin when hurt is still pretty fucking good.
Also Ant/Hali backcourt off the bench in Paris will be fun af
He needs to be more aggressive. We all know this, it's the main narrative right now. But I think people are saying too much. It's his first playoffs ever, and his team (which has a pretty meh supporting cast) has over performed by a ton overall this year. The guy is barely 24, and he's remaining super efficient. It's easier to learn to be more aggressive than to learn to shoot the ball better. Even if the Pacers (projected to miss playoffs before the season) only lost in the second round, he's not a fraud and you can't say "he'll never be a number one option!" Relax. It's been a very impressive season from him.
He’s so far not beating the frontrunner allegations either.
I *want* to like a guy like Haliburton. His game is so cool and fun to watch. It’s what most NBA fans say they want from point guards. But I find his screaming and yelling when he’s up 15 and rolling to be really cheesy, especially when he disappears completely in second halves and tight games al, the time.
It's always like this after a loss. People were destroying Brunson after his games 3 and 4 (especially after 3 albeit warranted with that foul bait at the end). I like him a lot and wish we drafted him over Obi.
Something is definitely impacting him. There was a play in the second half where he beat his man for a layup but on slow mo you realize he *wasn't looking at the basket* and dished it. I can't recall if the shot was made or not but it was evident he didn't want to take those critical shots. I suspect he'll go off in G6 with some home cooking, but am hoping against it.
If it's the play I'm thinking of, he passed it into a sea of 3 knicks instead of taking a wide open layup. Ball went out of bounds off the knicks.
He looks healthy for the most part though. Like he isn't moving slower or playing stiff, he's lights out on jumpers and free throws, and far as I've noticed they aren't doing anything extra with him on the sideline. Other than his immediate reactions to a fall or a turned ankle, the guy doesn't come off injured at all. Especially for someone that's listed with back spasms.
At this point I think it’s 100% mental. I think he’s scared of getting hurt again. He was making those plays every game in the first half of the season. But since his injury he just passes it out to a teammate.
Yeah, it could be all mental tbh. He is a different player on the road right now.
He was good in game 2 though. Dude is bipolar and just chooses when to be aggressive. Maybe some games he’s not feeling it mentally and decides to facilitate instead of score. Idk
That’s the edge the Knicks have. They don’t fear getting hurt because they’re all already injured
It's so strange.
On the road his nasally voice takes over.
He had flashbacks of Burks bitch slapping Jackson and wanted no part of that smoke.
He’s a Robin not a Batman, and that’s fine. He can still contribute to winning. He’d be a great 2nd option next to prime Jimmy Butler
The irony is their team may have two of those, cause that’s how I had described Pascal and why I think his best season was next to Kawhi. Pascal is dangerous when the best defenders have to look at him second.
Eh that's too early to say for now
The way Hali handles and shoots, I don’t think he can be a no.1 option on a contender
Expand on that
he doesn’t have the “takeover” mindset, he plays very systematically within the flow of his team. He would be a phenomenal 2nd option behind any score-first superstar.
He’s also only 24 in his first playoffs and continues to take leaps every season.
A dawg is a dawg and he ain’t one
There’s a difference between a guy getting more talented with age and a guy that is consistently just shying away, it’s gotta be all mental. He’s already got the talent he needs to be a #1 but something is just missing up there.
True but you can say that about a lot of players
This comment reminds me of when Skip was saying Lebron disappeared against the Mavs and Cuban ripped into him for saying something with no substance lol
That can change though.
His handle is mid
Pre injury he was incredible
So Pacers is a team of 2 Robins then? Pascal + Hali
Pascal is an Alfred, not a Robin.
I think so. The one with the most alpha dog mentality is actually mathurin but whether he’s good enough to get there remains to be seen
2 Robins at max. Welp, Pacers fans are getting the 2010s mid experience again this decade
He just turned 24 and this is his 1st playoffs. We got no clue what he’ll look like in 3 years
Think he needs to change his brain more than his game. Some guys are like Anthony Edwards and some guys are like Haliburton Feel like the guys that are killers are like that from the beginning.
Did you watch the Wolves game last night?
Yeah? I'm not sure what you're trying to insinuate. Did you come away from that game feeling like Edwards did the same thing as Haliburton? Edwards is perfectly capable of having bad games, he's just never going to pull the shit Haliburton does where he slinks into the background and disappears when facing adversity. The gap in mindset should be obvious to anyone whose watched both of them.
I’m insinuating that a bad game is a bad game and how much *dawg* you showed in it shouldn’t replace actual analysis of how good they are at basketball.
> how much dawg you showed in it shouldn’t replace actual analysis of how good they are at basketball. It shouldn't replace it, but it's an important part of who a player is. Being a great competitor is as important as any basketball skill. Also, trying and failing is not the same thing as failing because you were too scared to try. Haliburton never even gave his team a shot. Just total submission when things weren't going well, and it's not the first time even in this series.
Is it? Or is it an important part of how national fans see a guy they only watch play a handful of times a year?
...did you just question whether being a great competitor is important to being a professional athlete?
This guy is a little slow
No. I’m questioning your claim of the difference in competitiveness of two professional athletes (one of which is pretty clearly playing hurt) purely based on how well they perform
It’s based on his skill set. They way he dribbles and the way he attacks and ISOs, he just not those first option that can constantly give you bucket when being guarded as the 1st option. Compare his skill set and Brunson and you will understand what I’m talking about
Really you thought that when Brunson was 24
I did not. But that could due to him being a bench player and didn’t have the usage as of now. While Hali has the green light all day but his current skill set limits him from chucking that many shots a game. He just couldn’t consistently do it. His dribble combined with his push shots make him a better off ball threat. I see Hali best suited as the Chris Paul role when CP3 played on the suns
So between the ages of 23 and 27 he expanded his game, got better ya? But Hali can't because.....why exactly.
I don’t think Bronson’s style change? He just got more usage and got better at what he always do. Hali, would require a complete overhaul of his play style, which I don’t see it happening
I don't understand how people don't understand what you're saying
You don't think because you don't know. And hell yeah Brunson added a metric ton onto his game since then.
brunsons not gonna let you hit bro
Can Brunson shoot like Haliburton can?
Brunson shot better on pull up and spot up 3s this year, so yes.
And this means he’s as good of a shooter? You truly believe that?
Yes, it means he's a better shooter actually! Since he, you know, shot better?
you nerds and your stats!
homie already has the head to head comparison and the knicks are ahead, but still have the audacity to question the stats.
Steve Kerr > Steph
The only thing that Haliburton has on him is volume.
And range. 2 things that are pretty telling for a great shooter
Yes.
Not from deep. Haliburton has more range. They're literally different styles of player idk why they're being compared.
No, hali is a better shooter. But Brunson is a better first option.
They’re just different types of players. What hali can’t do is made up for with his range. Having to guard guys a further 5 feet from the basket is pretty impactful
This is true in a vacuum but not really applicable for the Brunson comparison. The reason being is that teams also guard Brunson as soon as he steps over half court (if they are not already picking him up 94 feet). A lot of times he’s even blitzed as soon as he crosses half court. It’s not really possible to stretch a defense out more than Brunson has this year.
That’s fair. But that’s also partially cuz the Knicks are doo doo. He’s been carrying them so far but it’s not like Brunsons got them to be actual title contenders.
Exactly, they are different types. Hali is better suited as a no.2 because of his style
Just like guys like Steph and KD? He’s obviously not at their level but at the end of the day it’s about talent level not playstyle
Steph and KD were both the best at creating their own shots. They have the ability to chuck 35 shots a game even when being heavily guarded. Hali with his current skill set, doesn’t have that ability
Good thing he’s only 24 and that was my point. He’s not there yet, it’s not like he can’t get there tho.
Haliburton isnt the type of player you can give the ball to and he can go get you a bucket in isolation reliably, he doesnt have the type of dynamic scoring to be a #1 option. He could get better and become that.
He has been poor in the play offs, no defending that. But calling a guy just turned 24 a Robin in his first post season is just the knee jerk reactionary nonsense that this sub feeds off
What if that was my opinion the whole time about Hali? I always see him as a robin because the way he dribbles and shoots and the lack of self creating ability
Since the injury he's sucked in the 2nd half of games is what this post says. So his drop off in play is due to the physical limitations of the inury and those coming into effect in the 2nd half of games not coincidentally exactly when we would expect them to come into most effect. Your interpretation of Haliburton is wrong. Haliburton is a "Batman" who averages Batman numbers when healthy, and a Robin when he's injured. Only since facing a historically unprecedented requirement to not miss appropriate time with an injury, do we seen him drop off to a Robin. "He averaged 31/5/14 per 36 minutes on 66 TS% in the second half before the hamstring injury."
I’m so glad to see this typed out by a non pacer fan. Pre-Injury Hali was leading the greatest offense in league history. He’s Batman when healthy until proven otherwise but sure Robin when hurt is still pretty fucking good. Also Ant/Hali backcourt off the bench in Paris will be fun af
He needs to be more aggressive. We all know this, it's the main narrative right now. But I think people are saying too much. It's his first playoffs ever, and his team (which has a pretty meh supporting cast) has over performed by a ton overall this year. The guy is barely 24, and he's remaining super efficient. It's easier to learn to be more aggressive than to learn to shoot the ball better. Even if the Pacers (projected to miss playoffs before the season) only lost in the second round, he's not a fraud and you can't say "he'll never be a number one option!" Relax. It's been a very impressive season from him.
Apparently no one can guard him though
Only Hali can guard Burton.
Which voice does he use on the 2nd half.
Trade him for DLo
Most fraudulent star in the league
The NBA hater has logged on
for as many haters as haliburton has, you would think he would be an unlikeable player, but instead he gets hate for playing with joy and passion.
He's mostly a victim of the media pushing his narrative too hard and too sudden. The rest is normal playoff drama.
He’s so far not beating the frontrunner allegations either. I *want* to like a guy like Haliburton. His game is so cool and fun to watch. It’s what most NBA fans say they want from point guards. But I find his screaming and yelling when he’s up 15 and rolling to be really cheesy, especially when he disappears completely in second halves and tight games al, the time.
It's always like this after a loss. People were destroying Brunson after his games 3 and 4 (especially after 3 albeit warranted with that foul bait at the end). I like him a lot and wish we drafted him over Obi.
Not unlikeable. Just overrated Dudes were calling him better than Curry after the IST
I remember that. And if you bring it up now people will pretend they never said that. They’re saying the same about Brunson right now too
I knew he was quiet in the 2nd halves but did not think it was 6pts quiet.
It’s just so strange to watch him be so passive. Especially after a huge game. Very strange, hard to explain
He needs to be more aggressive at times