For most NBA fans, whether casual observers or dedicated followers, Tyrese Haliburton`s sudden emergence as a superstar appears to be a phenomenon of the past few weeks. They point to highlights like his standout performance echoing Reggie Miller in the Eastern Conference finals, an almost perfect statistical game against the Knicks, or the dramatic game-winning shot in the opening game of the NBA Finals.
Following that Finals victory, Haliburton displayed the charismatic confidence of a top-tier star in post-game interviews, even lightheartedly suggesting he and his team were “late to the party” when discussing the Pacers` turnaround after a sub-.500 start. He also humorously attributed his knack for hitting crucial shots to his newly released signature shoes, calling them his “secret sauce.”
Indeed, his clutch shooting this season has been remarkable, hitting game-tying or game-winning shots at an exceptionally high percentage in the final minutes – a rate reportedly unmatched since tracking began in 1996-97.
However, those closest to Haliburton understand that this ascent to superstardom is the culmination of years of effort. Its less-than-glamorous beginning traces back to a seemingly ordinary Saturday in Philadelphia over three years ago.
At that time, Haliburton was still playing for the Sacramento Kings, unaware his tenure there was nearing its end. What he did recognize was a significant gap in his game, particularly his scoring output, which wasn`t indicative of a player on track for a maximum contract extension.
Seeking improvement, his agent arranged a meeting with acclaimed NBA skills trainer Drew Hanlen. Hanlen agreed to work with Haliburton but set an immediate condition. As Hanlen recounted, the primary obstacle was Haliburton`s lack of scoring aggression. Hanlen challenged him to attempt a specific high number of field goals in his very next game against the Sixers.
Haliburton vividly recalls that pivotal conversation. He remembers Hanlen emphasizing the need for Haliburton to believe in himself before Hanlen could fully invest in training him. Unbeknownst to Haliburton, Hanlen had already extensively reviewed his game film due to potential trade discussions involving Haliburton and other players, a situation complicated by Hanlen`s work with Philadelphia`s star.
While impressed by Haliburton`s exceptional passing, Hanlen worried that a passive scoring approach would limit the overall impact of his playmaking brilliance. Encouraged by feedback from players who had faced Haliburton, Hanlen continued his film study, recognizing unique aspects of his game.
In the game on January 29, 2022, Haliburton met Hanlen`s challenge head-on, taking 19 shots and scoring a career-best 38 points. Ten days later, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers.
Their training partnership has continued ever since, centered around a consistent message. Hanlen explains their guiding principle: “Sometimes being too unselfish is actually being selfish.” He elaborates that when Haliburton defers too much, it negatively affects both his teammates` success and the team`s overall performance. The more aggressive Haliburton is as a scorer, the more the team benefits and wins.
While Haliburton projects immense confidence today, his journey hasn`t been without struggle. Self-belief has been inconsistent at times. Being the only player on a high-profile international team who received minimal playing time affected him. A persistent hamstring injury the previous summer also hindered his preparation, leaving him without his usual physical and emotional drive at the start of this season, contributing to the Pacers` early struggles.
This context makes his recent public comments about being “late to the party” particularly poignant, highlighting the significant internal battle he fought earlier in the season to regain his confidence and aggressive edge. Even regarding his signature shoes, he confided during a low point that he felt undeserving of such an honor. Hanlen`s role has been crucial in helping him move past this doubt.
“He`s always used negativity and doubt to fuel him,” Hanlen observed. “But then he started buying into it and believing it. We had to get him past that.”
The focus on maintaining this aggressive mindset remains paramount. Just before his first Finals appearance, Haliburton shared an online post with Hanlen that analyzed the Pacers` win percentage based on Haliburton`s shot attempts, underscoring his awareness of this dynamic.
Hanlen uses a simple, memorable phrase – “the orange thing” – to serve as a constant reminder for Haliburton to look at the rim and seek scoring opportunities. This approach isn`t one-size-fits-all; with other players, excessive aggression might lead to poor shots. But with Haliburton, Hanlen trusts that his drive towards the basket will lead him to make the correct decision, whether it`s to score or to pass.
The takeaway is that while Tyrese Haliburton`s emergence as a superstar seems recent, it is in fact a multi-year process that began three years ago and is still actively being nurtured. After a playoff game where Haliburton was too passive, taking only seven shots, Hanlen personally flew to Indianapolis to work with him.
Their session included film review, and as a memorable physical reminder, Hanlen gathered every orange object he could find in the house and left them outside Haliburton`s door for him to encounter in the morning. This collection included items ranging from food like Goldfish crackers and Reese`s Puffs to a basketball and even a carrot.
Haliburton had to physically step over these “orange things” to leave his room, a tangible representation of Hanlen`s constant message. Haliburton jokes about his trainer`s relentless focus on this point: “24/7, all day every day. It never stops with that guy.”
Clearly, the message resonates. Even after hitting the game-winner in the first game of the Finals, Haliburton immediately inquired about his shot total (13) and expressed a desire for further improvement, acknowledging he “could be better” despite the crucial make. This shows the ongoing commitment to the mindset that has fueled his journey to stardom.