LeBron James pinpoints key trait Tyrese Haliburton brings to Pacers rotation

Tyrese Haliburton is surging toward superstardom. 

The Indiana Pacers guard has produced multiple clutch moments throughout the 2025 NBA playoffs. His latest game-winner came during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, a 111-110 Pacers win, sinking the Oklahoma City Thunder in the dying seconds of the contest.

Haliburton has always been viewed as a high-level talent. He's a throwback guard who prefers to pass rather than shoot. Nevertheless, his well-rounded style of play makes him a tough matchup for even the best defenders the league has to offer. 

That same style of play has seen Haliburton emerge as a genuine leader within Rick Carlisle's team. Players seem to get behind the star guard, knowing he's always looking to make the right play, rather than chase individual glory.

During a recent episode of the "Mind the Game" podcast, LeBron James explained why Haliburton is becoming such a successful lead guard for Indiana. 

"Just a great kid," James said. "Like every single day. He was the same person. Joking, laughing, high-spirited. You look at what's going on with the Pacers throughout the regular season and now throughout the postseason, and you get it. You get why they are the team they are. And it starts with the head of the snake. And that's Haliburton. You can gravitate and bring energy and love and would run through a wall for certain guys. And he's a guy that you would do that for just because of how he plays the game."