The Indiana Pacers have gotten off to a 9-13 start, which sees them in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. That’s a marked drop off from last season’s Eastern Conference Finals appearance. Tuesday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors was Indiana’s third straight defeat.
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton said that the team has to be better and can turn things around. Haliburton also said that starts with him.
“I mean, listen, we’re 9-13 right now. We can act like the world is falling apart, and that’s not the case,” Haliburton said. “But there also needs to be a sense of urgency. Everybody can say, ‘Oh, it’s four games, we’ll be back to 500.’ It ain’t that easy.
“It starts with me. I have to be a better leader. I got to do everything better and harder because I’m not ready to piss away a year of my career, or this organization’s – this team’s – season.”
While shouldering the blame for himself, Haliburton called out the entire team, himself included, for their lack of energy and effort.
“I think the product we’re putting on the floor right now as a group is embarrassing,” Haliburton said. “(After) the conversation at halftime, I think we entered the second half better. But it’s got to be like that for 48 minutes. Every team is playing hard right now. Every team is young and has energy. And there’s no reason that we shouldn’t be matching and beyond.”