Tyrese Haliburton’s emergence as an NBA superstar has captivated fans and analysts alike, particularly after his remarkable performance in Game 4 against the New York Knicks. That night, he came through with an absolutely perfect performance. He scored 32 points, accounted for 15 assists and 12 rebounds while getting five steals and — that’s right — zero turnovers. Either way, this terrific showing has not only cemented his reputation but tallied a career-defining achievement.
Haliburton’s path to being an all-star is not a typical overnight success story. His agent, Dave Spahn, initiated a pivotal moment in Haliburton’s career three years ago by contacting renowned NBA skills trainer Drew Hanlen. Spahn requested Hanlen’s skills to teach Haliburton how to sharpen his skills and get the most out of his potential. Hanlen had already been analyzing Haliburton’s game tape for several weeks, given his close work with Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.
Ten days after that first meeting in Philly, Haliburton found himself traded to the Indiana Pacers. Little did anyone know that this transaction would break the invisible ceiling on his career and lay the groundwork for his remarkable comeback. In a game soon after the trade, Haliburton took 19 shots, connecting on an impressive 11 of them. Spoiler alert—he ended up with a career high 38 points that night! To me, this performance was about as clear a sign you could get of the change happening overall under Hanlen’s leadership.
Hanlen likewise pushed Haliburton to be more assertive when he had the ball. He called him out telling him to at least 14 field goal attempts the next night against the Sixers. Yet in the Pacers’ Game 5 elimination loss to the Knicks, Haliburton took just seven shots. Recognizing the need for support, Hanlen traveled to Indianapolis to help Haliburton prepare for Game 6, showcasing his commitment to the young player’s success.
Even while fighting a persistent hamstring injury that curtailed his practice schedule all summer, Haliburton’s resolve was not to be swayed. He has remarkable ability to hit game-tying or game-winning shots with seconds remaining. In actuality, he’s knocked down 13 of 15 game-winning shots within the last two minutes of regulation or in overtime.
Haliburton’s journey isn’t just a numbers game, it’s a story of how to deal with adversity and self-doubt. Per Hanlen, Haliburton has previously channeled criticism and skepticism into his on-court performance. That slogan – “the orange thing” – became a disciplining mechanism for Haliburton, spurring him to hunker down and commit himself to greater self-discipline. To help instill this mentality, Hanlen would place orange objects outside Haliburton’s door for inspiration every day.
“He’s always used negativity and doubt to fuel him.” – Drew Hanlen
Haliburton echoed this sentiment, stating, “He told me I have to believe in myself before he believes in me.” This focus on believing in yourself is important in a sport where belief can make all the difference in the world.
Even as he looks back on the past, Haliburton is well aware that his superstar rise started just three years ago. As he confessed in one recent interview, “We were late to the party, too,” pointing out further the long tick-tock of his development.
Drew Hanlen played a large role in developing what people outside of the organization perceive as Haliburton’s unorthodox approach to the game. He’s passionate about finding the balance between healthy aggression and selfless teamwork. “The big quote that we always say is, ‘Sometimes being too unselfish is actually being selfish,’” Hanlen stated. He further elaborated that Haliburton’s unselfishness can negatively affect both his teammates’ success and the team’s overall performance.
“When he’s unselfish, it actually negatively impacts his teammates’ success and negatively impacts his team’s success.” – Drew Hanlen
Hanlen’s wisdom is a reminder that Haliburton has to take a sort of killer instinct approach. “The more aggressive he is, the more his team wins,” he noted, reinforcing the idea that individual confidence can lead to collective success.
The transformation of Haliburton has been worth noting, with some incredible milestones crossed and continued work ahead. His path from doubt to renown is an inspiring story of effort, guidance, and self-determination. He’s really making a name for himself, he’s growing day by day as a player. Fans and pundits alike look forward to seeing just how far he will ascend in the cutthroat arena of pro hoops.
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