Pacers GM Chad Buchanan tells JMV that Tyrese Haliburton's added strength is changing how he finishes at the rim and credits Quenton Jackson for the jolt in the season-opening win.
Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan joined JMV on the Andy Moore Automotive Group hotline on The Ride with JMV the day after Indiana’s season-opening win in New Orleans.
Buchanan said the early weeks are always bumpy. “82 games is such a long grind of a season and to find your rhythm, it takes time, especially adding a couple new pieces,” he said, including a new starter at center. He said nine of the Pelicans’ 10 players could create their own shot, while the Pacers are “more of a team that’s the sum of its parts.” Indiana was also missing T.J. McConnell and Aaron Nesmith.
Buchanan called Quenton Jackson a “high energy, tough-minded, defensive-focused” guard who can defend more than one position. “He really hounds the ball,” he said. “He was a major, major reason why we win that game.”
Buchanan said he was “super happy and proud” of Tyrese Haliburton in his first game back from injury, after watching the daily grind of his rehab. He said Haliburton and Pascal Siakam ran pick-and-roll late “bucket after bucket.”
Buchanan said the strength Haliburton added in the offseason is showing up at the rim. Where he once avoided contact, “he’s at times now searching out for some contact, which is a new element to his game,” he said. He called Haliburton’s left-handed finish through a foul by Zion Williamson “an incredible shot” and said getting stronger was a big emphasis of his rehab. “He’s a 6’5 point guard,” Buchanan said, and more weight “only adds more advantages.”
Follow the season on the Pacers schedule and Tyrese Haliburton’s NBA.com page. More on The Fan: Haliburton’s strong return in the 123-120 win over the Pelicans, the Pacers’ home-opener loss to Dallas and Buchanan on the Zubac trade.
Chad Buchanan: Tyrese Haliburton’s Added Strength Is ‘a New Element to His Game’ was originally published on 1075thefan.com
COMMENTARY: 5 Reasons Why Obama Will Beat Romney
The 30 Most Beautiful Black Women In Hollywood
Ladies, Meet the Hottest NFL Players of 2026
Term II: US Must Help Poor, Elderly, Obama Says 
We care about your data. See our privacy policy.
An Urban One Brand
Copyright © 2026 Interactive One, LLC. All Rights Reserved.