INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton got back up on the podium after the Pacers’ 129-109 Game 4 win over the Cavs in the Eastern Conference semifinals Sunday and re-introduced himself.
“What’s up guys, I’m Tyrese Haliburton,” he said. “I’m here to do media. I hope that’s worthwhile news. Let’s get into it.”
Haliburton was clearly annoyed by coverage over he was not made available to the media by the Pacers’ public relations staff after the Pacers’ Game 3 loss in which he scored four points on 2-of 8-shooting.
As he pointed out, he does podium interviews after almost every home game and is almost always available to the press win or lose. His cooperation with the media noted him a second-team spot on the Professional Basketball Writers Association’s All-Interview team. Still, he is the face of the Pacers’ franchise as a two-time All-Star and max contract player and when such a player doesn’t talk after a playoff loss, that tends to bring criticism.
Haliburton met with the media Saturday after a film session and workout and said whether he’s made available by the Pacers public relations staff isn’t always his call. He provided more insight into that Sunday night and acknowledged if he had to do it all over again, he probably would have made a point to be available.
“Our PR team does a great job of putting me out there when it’s time to talk,” Haliburton said. “I gotta come out here and talk when it is time. I think (Pacers vice president of communications) Mike (Preston) and his staff did try to protect me a little bit last game. Maybe went a little overboard. Maybe I should have overruled it and come in here. But I wasn’t really in the mood to speak and he told me he didn’t want me to speak and I left. If that’s a problem, obviously you guys are more and willing to talk about it. Keep having commentary around it. I’ll continue to do what I do and I’ll live my life the same way.”
Haliburton was asked directly if he thought it was a mistake.
“Going back on it, maybe I should’ve spoke,” Haliburton said. “Yeah. Sure. I probably should have spoke. I’m a human being. Not everybody here is perfect all the time. I answered all your questions the next day. I’m here again today. Any questions you guys have. For most of you guys who are here who come to every game, I am on this podium after every game.”
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