The Indiana Pacers were right there.
They could’ve won three of the four games they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals, but late-game execution and questionable coaching cost them time and time again.
Now, looking back on the series, it’s become evident that the Pacers lacked a closer.
With that in mind, former NBA star Tim Hardaway Sr. claimed that Tyrese Haliburton wasn’t up to the task.
Talking on “The Carton Show,” Hardaway called out Haliburton for choking late in Game 1 and struggling in Game 2.
"Haliburton choked and those other guys didn't finish games."
— @HardawaySr on the Pacers getting swept pic.twitter.com/47NYXr1jLh
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) May 28, 2024
He also believes the rest of the supporting cast choked in the remaining games of the series, adding that Pascal Siakam is a very good player but not a closer or a go-to guy.
That’s a fair assessment.
Haliburton is young and walking his first steps in the league, and he’s going to learn from this experience.
He made some mistakes one would expect from an inexperienced player, but the talent is most definitely there.
As for Siakam, he wasn’t the Toronto Raptors’ leader in their championship run and after, but that’s not a knock on him.
He was tailor-made for what Rick Carlisle’s team needed this season, and he came through with some big performances since he arrived in Indianapolis, playoffs included.
The Pacers are a young team, and young teams go through growing pains.
They’re going to learn and get better from this, and they just need to add some more veterans around their young stars, as most of their rotation pieces are on the same timeline and should be good for years to come.
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