Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton has the added benefit of home-court advantage during the NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday.
As such, Haliburton, an All-Star for the second time in his career, will surely be looking to put on a show for the hometown fans. Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and Inside the NBA analyst on TNT Shaquille O'Neal had some advice for the Pacers star before the game tipped off, providing fans with an amusing moment in the process.
Shaq, encouraging Haliburton to embrace the moment in "his city," told the Pacers guard, who leads the NBA in assists, not to pass the ball.
"This is your city. Do not pass the ball. Take the game over and make sure you go home with that MVP!" Shaq said.
Shaq: "This is your city. Do not pass the ball... Make sure you go home with that MVP!" @TyHaliburton22: "Shaq, you know passing is what I do though right?!"
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 19, 2024
Shaq didn't want to hear Hali out about passing during the #NBAAllStar Game 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/1D9MYCEuLZ
"Shaq, you know passing is what I do though, right?" Haliburton replied with a smile.
Clearly, O'Neal wanted Haliburton to put his pass-first mentality to the side. And he did just that in the early parts of the contest, scoring a game-high 15 points in the first quarter.
