The NBA Finals are set to begin on Thursday, and Carmelo Anthony breaks down what Tyrese Haliburton can do that will allow the Pacers to beat the Thunder.
The excitement is palpable within the NBA world as the Finals draw closer. While some aren’t pleased with the matchup, one stat shows that both teams were destined to clash on the biggest stage.
The Indiana Pacers are led by Tyrese Haliburton, who is looking to firmly establish himself as one of the league’s biggest superstars.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have been the best team all season long. He’ll be looking to join Michael Jordan and two other legends by making history.
While both teams have their strengths and will look to exploit each other’s weaknesses, Carmelo Anthony knows what Haliburton, in particular, needs to do.
Hali is one of the league’s best passers. The Pacers’ offense relies on quick transition play and off-ball movement, with Tyrese making the right reads on each play.
Asked about the one thing the Indiana superstar needs to do that will ensure Indiana wins a championship, Melo had a simple answer.
“Touch the paint every single time,” Anthony said on his podcast. “Feet in the paint every single time. Cuz when he come off the screen, a lot of the time the screens is high.
“He’s gotta just turn the corner and keep turning, get downhill, get his feet in the paint. Because everybody staying home now… But if you touch that paint, you messing up their rotations.
“And he’s a great passer. He’s a hell of a passer. He see the court, his IQ is immaculate… You have to go be aggressive too.”
Much has been made about Haliburton being voted the NBA’s most overrated player. Myles Turner claims that Tyrese has ended that narrative.
Melo went one step beyond and claimed that Hali is underrated because of the things that have been said about him.
“He is underrated. He had people s****ing on him,” Anthony said when asked who the most underrated player in the Finals is.
“They said he’s overrated. He’s been underrated… He’s a very f***ing great point guard. They don’t like his style of play.”
Whatever the prevailing opinion about Hali is, he can put every narrative to bed by leading the Pacers to a win over the Thunder. A championship ring is the answer to every doubter in the world.
