Team USA Hid Tyrese Haliburton's Leg Injury, Which Means He Probably Would Have Been An Olympic Hero If Healthy

Hypothetically speaking, if you're a guy who dished out the $35 to buy a Tyrese Haliburton Team USA jersey shirt to show support for the Indiana Pacer's all-star, this hidden injury is "good news".

Now, when I wear the #9 USA jersey shirt out in public, I can confidently say, "Yeah, well he was hurt. That's why he didn't play a single minute in the semi-finals / finals of the Olympics." We can ignore the fact that Derrick White came out of no where to take Haliburton's role with the second unit, Hali was too injured to play!

A fully healthy Tyrese probably would have taken Steph's role as the starting point guard, but we will never know for sure because Haliburton was hurt. 

Meanwhile, there is the Pacer's fan side of me that doesn't care about the $35 or the honor of representing Team USA, and is wondering why the fuck Haliburton is playing. Embid shouldn't have been out there either, but he is the definition of a loser, and you should be doing the opposite of whatever he does. When Tyrese was ruled out against Boston for the remainder of the ECF, I said we need to wrap this man in bubble wrap, put him on a shelf, and let him heal this offseason. His hamstring injury from February has yet to have time to heel 6 months later. Hopefully the rest of August, Sept, and most of October will give him a chance to recover, and hopefully that's enough time. 

While Haliburton's health is a concern, I do understand that playing on the Olympic team is huge for networking with the best players in the NBA. The Heat's Big 3 was formed with ties to the Olympics, and they almost got Melo to come with because of the relationships built during the Olympics. And NOW after the FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Olympics … it's basically a given that Anthony Edwards is going to be an Indiana Pacer. 

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Wow, these two guys are best friends. Can't wait for a LeBron James decision esque video of Ant Man ripping out the hearts of the Minnesota fanbase by saying he is taking his talent's to the South Side of Indianapolis.

While I'm probably overreacting about this reoccurring leg injury, I am happy we got an all-time twitter post out of the Pacer's point god. Being secure enough to make fun of yourself? That's aura. Sorry to all the Haliburton haters, but this man doesn't miss.