Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is embroiled in a verbal feud with former five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway Sr. The former Miami Heat star doubled down on his hatred of Haliburton during a recent appearance on the Run it Back podcast.
“If there’s one guy I would have wanted to play against in my prime, it’s him (Haliburton) – just to show him and shut him up. Just shut up and play, man, because you’re not really like that. You’re not really that tough guy. You’re just a guy that’s going to come out here and do what you’re supposed to do,” Hardaway said about Haliburton.
“Now, credit where credit is due—he’s out there balling. And when they’re whole, he goes out there and produces the way he’s supposed to. But on defense? I’m not hiding on defense. They had him hiding on defense. You know, Lou, you’re not sticking the best point guard. You’re not guarding the best player on the other team. All right, they want to guard you, but you can’t guard them. That’s another thing. So live up to all the hype,” he added.
The beef between Hardaway and Haliburton didn’t appear overnight. Haliburton hinted that Hardaway’s grudge may stem from his feud with former Miami Heat teammate Eddie Jones (Haliburton’s cousin), who reportedly cheated on Hardaway’s former wife.
Indiana Pacers need Tyrese Haliburton back at full strength
The Indiana Pacers are on a three-game losing streak, as they played without Tyrese Haliburton. The two-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined due to a hip injury.
Haliburton averages 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.5 steals on 47/39/86 shooting splits across 59 starts this season.
Indiana will play the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Andrew Nembhard will remain the team’s starting point guard if Haliburton is out again.
