During ESPN’s pregame broadcast of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament, former Warriors executive Bob Myers spoke about Tyrese Haliburton.
The Indiana Pacers guard is, without a doubt, the breakout star of the NBA Cup. Haliburton, who was selected at No. 12 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, has statistically outproduced many of the players drafted before him in that class.
One of those players is former Warriors big man James Wiseman, who was selected at No. 2 overall. Myers, who was overseeing the franchise when the pick was made, added more context to how he views that decision now:
“That workout was a few miles from here in Vegas with myself, Steve Kerr and Joe Lacob and he did what he does. He made a ton of shots and we looked at each other and said he might be pretty good. A different kind of shot. Kind of a set shot. But he made them all. What bothers me more than anything was his workout was good. When we met with him after, I should have known then .. because of who he is as a person and as a leader because you meet with people. You talk to them. That conversation left a mark because of how smart he is. It’s not fake. It’s not arrogant. It’s confidence.”
Haliburton was reportedly the top guard on Golden State’s big board, ahead of LaMelo Ball. But the pick was Wiseman, who was traded to the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline last season.
Bob Myers on the Warriors not drafting Tyrese Haliburton back in 2020: pic.twitter.com/Lp6qrwcAN6
— Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 7, 2023
Myers noted that the Pacers are lucky to have him while both Smith and Wilbon added that the Warriors were not the only team to pass on the All-Star guard.
For what it is worth: Haliburton recently revealed Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told former Kings head coach Luke Walton, who was the head coach of Sacramento when the guard was drafted there, to never change Haliburton’s funky jumper.
That was very good advice from the Golden State coach as Haliburton has become one of the best shooters in the league.
