Lakers Anthony Davis on Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton: 'He's the head of the snake'
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton can check off one of the two goals he set to accomplish in his first full season with his new team.
One goal was to average 20 points and 10 assists, the other was to be named an NBA All-Star. It's too soon to tally a season average, but the dynamic guard was officially named a member of 2023 NBA All-Star Team on Thursday as an Eastern Conference reserve. Haliburton is the lone first-time All-Star in the East. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. are first-time All-Stars in the West.
"He's done everything the right way," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of Haliburton. "He was disappointed in the trade initially, then he saw the opportunity here and embraced it. He's planted his footing here. He's committed himself to being the on-court leader of this franchise and he's performed at an amazing level.
"A 20 and 10 point guard is gold in this league, particularly one that has the it factor when it comes to the crowd identifying with him. I see so much of Reggie (Miller) in him. The way that these guys move on the court, their emotions, what they're about, how they work, all those things. I'm really thrilled for him."
Haliburton has quickly ingrained himself into the fabric of this Pacers team and the community. The third-year guard is a viable presence off the court through social media and the stream platform Twitch. His on-the-court talent is drawing praise from his peers as well.
Against the Lakers, Haliburton went right at two-time All-NBA first-team defender Anthony Davis with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. Davis, a noted All-Star snub, blocked Haliburton and secured the win for Los Angeles; but the Lakers know -- the Pacers will only go as far as Haliburton takes them.
"He played well. He's an All-Star and it showed tonight," Davis said. "They were 1-10 without him. He's the head of the snake."
LeBron James is a 19-time All-Star. Making an All-Star team is routine for the Lakers superstar and soon to be NBA all-time scoring leader. But even a four-time NBA champion remembers the first time making an All-Star team. Becoming an All-Star is more than just playing in the game and partaking in the All-Star weekend festivities. Making an All-Star team is a sign of respect, and Haliburton is showing he belongs among the NBA's elite.
"It's a great feeling," James said of making the All-Star team for the first time. "The players and coaches respect the way you play the game at a high level for two-thirds of the season. It's definitely a respect thing. (Haliburton's) been playing great basketball. He's been playing at a high level."
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Pacers: All-Star Tyrese Haliburton earning respect from peers
