Stephen A's Take: Stephen A comments on the play of the Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Stephen A's Take: Stephen A comments on the play of the Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton
Release Date: June 11, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the NBA Finals, focusing specifically on the Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton and his pivotal role in the series. Alongside analyst discussions, Stephen A. provides critical insights into the ongoing games, player performances, and the strategic dynamics between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Game One Recap and Analysis

Stephen A. Smith begins by recapping the dramatic shift in the series dynamics:

"The series shifts to India and the Pacers holding home court advantage after stealing Game one from the Thunder on the road, Oklahoma City bounced back with an emphatic Game two win on Sunday night to even the series. It's not over."
(02:41)

He commends Indiana for their unexpected resilience:

"I never anticipated that they would win game one the way that they did. To be down 15, to come back, to be down 15 with over nine minutes left and to come back and to win that game. Got to give a lot of credit that particular game."
(02:50)

Tyrese Haliburton’s Performance

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Tyrese Haliburton and his standout performance in Game One:

"This brother, Tyrese Haliburton in 15 seconds or left in regulation or overtime, okay, this Brother has gone 5 for 5 from the field while the rest of the NBA in the postseason has gone 4 of 26."
(03:15)

Stephen A. emphasizes Haliburton's clutch ability:

"You can't say enough about that from Tyrese Haliburton and his performance in Game one, meaning that big time shot."
(03:20)

Comparative Analysis with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The conversation shifts to comparing Haliburton with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, highlighting Haliburton's current standing:

"I said, no, he's not a superstar. Not there yet. The brother can play. He's not overrated. He's not a scrub, but he's not a superstar. That would be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander."
(03:40)

Stephen A. outlines Gilgeous-Alexander’s superior performance:

"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the star, a superstar, but he plays the same position as Tyrese Haliburton. They're damn near the same height, for crying out loud."
(04:05)

He critiques Haliburton's need to elevate his game:

"Halliburton's got to do more. ... you score 12 points in the fourth quarter. When a game is out of reach, that ain't good enough. So Halliburton's got to do more."
(04:25)

Defensive Strengths of Oklahoma City

The episode also highlights Oklahoma City Thunder's defensive prowess, which poses significant challenges to the Pacers:

"This defense is elite. Lou Dort is an elite defender. Alex Caruso is an elite defender. Kayson Wallace can defend. And then when you take into account that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams also do defend as well."
(04:35)

Stephen A. underscores the depth of Oklahoma City's defense:

"Only two players did that this year, Evan Mobley and Jalen Williams. So there's no drop off with OKC."
(05:00)

Game Three Implications

Looking ahead, the discussion pivots to the critical Game Three and its implications for the series:

"Game three is pivotal for them. They must at least split or it's over in five."
(04:59)

Analyzing Indiana's prospects, Stephen A. posits:

"Indiana can score and because they can score, who knows how interesting they may make this? Oklahoma City is clearly the better team. That does not mean Indiana can't win."
(05:35)

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In closing, Stephen A. reiterates his support for Oklahoma City but acknowledges Indiana's potential to turn the series:

"I'm still with OKC in six, but Indiana better win one of these games or it ain't going six."
(05:50)

Notable Quotes

• Stephen A. Smith on Haliburton’s Clutch Performance:

  "This Brother has gone 5 for 5 from the field while the rest of the NBA in the postseason has gone 4 of 26."
  (03:15)

• On Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Superiority:

  "Not there yet. The brother can play. He's not overrated. He's not a scrub, but he's not a superstar. That would be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander."
  (03:40)

• Regarding Oklahoma City's Defense:

  "This defense is elite. Lou Dort is an elite defender. Alex Caruso is an elite defender. Kayson Wallace can defend."
  (04:35)

• On the Importance of Game Three:

  "Game three is pivotal for them. They must at least split or it's over in five."
  (04:59)

Final Remarks

Stephen A. Smith provides a comprehensive analysis of the NBA Finals, spotlighting Tyrese Haliburton's impressive yet not yet superstar status, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominance, and the formidable defense of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The episode offers valuable insights for fans and followers of the series, emphasizing the critical nature of upcoming games and the strategic elements that could determine the championship outcome.

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This summary captures the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a detailed overview for those who have not listened to the podcast.

Transcript

[Host 1]

This is an iHeart podcast.

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[Host 2]

Now.

[Host 1]

Let'S get to the NBA Finals, where.

[Analyst 1]

The series shifts to India and the.

[Host 1]

Pacers holding home court advantage after stealing Game one from the Thunder on the road, Oklahoma City bounced back with an emphatic Game two win on Sunday night to even the series. It's not over. This is still a highly competitive series and I give Indiana a lot of credit for that because I never anticipated that they would win game one the way that they did. To be down 15, to come back, to be down 15 with over nine minutes left and to come back and to win that game. Got to give a lot of credit that particular game. Neesmith, Nemhard, Miles Turner, Pascal Siakam, all of them showed up with big buckets down the stretch, setting the stage for Tyrese Halliburton to hit his game winner with 0.3 seconds left in regulation. Deserves a lot of credit in that span this postseason. This brother, tyrese Halliburton in 15 seconds or left, left in regulation or overtime, okay, this Brother has gone 5 for 5 from the field while the rest of the NBA in the postseason has gone 4 of 26. You can't say enough about that from Tyrese Halliburton and his performance in Game one, meaning that big time shot. But for the most part, he's been relatively neutralized because the star of this series, make no mistake about it, has been Shea Butter. As in Shea Gilgis. Alexander, as in the reigning league MVP, just finished averaging 32.7 a game. He's averaged at least 30 over the last three seasons. He's 26 years of age, ladies and gentlemen, doesn't even shoot that many threes. But the brothers missed the mid range. He's got a nasty handle. He create his own shot. He can get to the rim anytime he wants to. And the reason I'm bringing that up is because if you're Halliburton, who everybody's been talking about as this young superstar, and I said, no, he's not a superstar. Not there yet. The brother can play. He's not overrated. He's not a scrub, but he's not a superstar. That would be Shea Gilgeous Alexander. Here's the flip side to all of that. Shay Gilgeous Alexander is not only a star, a superstar, but he plays the same position as Tyrese Haliburton. They're damn near the same height, for crying out loud. You got to step up and handle your business. This brother, Shay gilgeous Alexander dropped 38 in game one, dropped 34 in game two. Averaging 36 on the series. You got to answer that call. You can't be averaging 11 points or 15 points. Rather shoot 33% from the field. You can't go the first 40 minutes of the game with just five points and you score 12 points in the fourth quarter. When a game is out of reach, that ain't good enough. So Halliburton's got to do more. Pascal Siakam. You can't be held to 3, 4, 11 shooting with Alex Caruso guarding you half the time. You got to take advantage. You got to find a way. Because Indiana, as potent as they can be, Oklahoma City is a different beast. This defense is elite. Lou Dort is an elite defender. Alex Caruso is an elite defender. Kayson Wallace can defend. And then when you take into account that Shai Gilgis and Jalen Williams also do defend as well, and a Jalen Williams, your second best offensive player is a Cat. Only two, one of two in the entire NBA. Him and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were all NBA, all NBA, on all NBA team, but also on an all NBA defensive team. Only two players did that this year, Evan Mobley and Jalen Williams. So there's no drop off with okc.

[Analyst 1]

Everybody defends. Everybody defends.

[Host 1]

And then when you got this cat, Wiggins coming off the bench and he gives you 18 points on five threes and Caruso is opening the corner three or four times for his corner threes and he's giving you 20. And not a single Indiana Pacer has scored 20 points in games one and two of this series.

[Analyst 1]

Indiana has to show up game three is pivotal for them. They must at least split or it's over in five.

[Host 2]

Five.

[Analyst 1]

They got a split or it's over in five.

[Host 1]

So you got to win Game three or four, and I think there are better chances to win Game three as.

[Analyst 1]

Opposed to Game four.

[Host 1]

They got to show up. Will they?

[Analyst 1]

That remains the question. It's an intriguing one though, because Indiana can score and because they can score, who knows how interesting they may make this? Oklahoma City is clearly the better team. That does not mean Indiana can't win. Keep that in mind. I'm still with OKC in six, but Indiana better win one of these games or it ain't going six.

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This is an iHeart podcast.