Tyrese Haliburton Says He Doesn't Know What's Holding Him Back, So It Could Be Time To Bench Him If He Can't Figure It Out

Typing this up to take my mind off Indiana vs Ohio State because if I hear one more second of pregame talk about strength of schedule, or who belongs in the CFP and who doesn't, and I'm just going to snap. Play the game - Go Hoosiers. 

SO, what better way to clear your head than doing a post mortem analysis on why the Indiana Pacers are absolute dog water. After the Rockets game on Wednesday night, I blogged that Haliburton needs to be benched to send a message. Tyrese has denied being injured, so something is going on with him mentally. 

I heard Quinn Buckner say on the broadcast last night that Haliburton needs to be having fun on the court again, I'm of the mindset that his lack of driving to the basket is a lack of focus and benching him would light a fire under his ass that causes him to play pissed off. Maybe Haliburton doesn't have that killer instinct to play pissed off, and a benching would only hurt his confidence more. Whatever you think is the problem, you can't deny that there is a problem.

But last night this depleted Pacers team showed signs of life, and Haliburton showed glimmers of the old Hali. Not a super star stat line, but not the worst. In the first half Tyrese even drove to the hoop with intent to score, and not pass out of it TWICE! Then he lost focus and started chucking up deep 3's, and as the game went on, his drives to the basket reverted back to his typical cut in, spin around, pass the ball off (even when there was a clear lane.) It's incredibly frustrating to watch. Haliburton has never been a slasher to the rim, but his lack of effort on drives has been hurting a Pacers team that desperately needs their star. 

The Pacers have 4 home games against relatively easy competition - Wizards, Portland, Pelicans, and Pistons. It's in the Pacers DNA to play down to their competition, but if Haliburton can't get right during this home stand, then it's time to take action by benching him. Letting Tyrese play through this isn't helping, so it's time to try a different approach and let a TJ McConnell or Quenton Jackson take over the point guard duties until Haliburton can get his shit figured out.