Hoops Habit
Fansided

New to the NBA? 5 reasons to join the Pacers’ fandom in 2023-2024

By Tyler Key

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 24: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at the TD Garden on March 24, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 24: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at the TD Garden on March 24, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next

4. Indiana has a budding young superstar in Tyrese Haliburton

Watching players grow and get better year after year is insanely gratifying. Indiana having a young superstar in place like Haliburton means that the foundation of the team is in a good spot for on-court talent and potential upside. It also means that you can start cheering for Haliburton even before the Pacers start their season, since the 23-year-old will represent Team USA at the 2023 FIBA World Cup this offseason.

In 2022–2023, Haliburton averaged 20.7 points per game, 10.4 assists per game, and 3.7 rebounds per game across his 56 contests. He continued his incredibly efficient shooting as well, shooting 49.0% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the arc. Haliburton has yet to shoot below 40% from three in his NBA career. Additionally, based on his 49/40/87 shooting splits, he looks poised to join the 50/40/90 club at some point in his career.

This young star criteria removes Brooklyn (Mikal Bridges, 26), the LA Clippers (Kawhi Leonard, 32, and Paul George, 33), Utah (Lauri Markkanen, 26), and Phoenix (Kevin Durant, 34, and Devin Booker, 26), whose best players are all 26 or older. This leaves us with Charlotte, Indiana, Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Orlando.

Home/Indiana Pacers