TYRESE HALIBURTON TALKS KNICKS RIVALRY, GAME 7 OF THE FINALS & THE NBA PLAYOFFS! | S8 EP70

Tyrese Haliburton describes his playoff injury as a 'heartbreak,' comparing it to a first romantic heartbreak rather than just physical pain. The emotional toll of being so close to a championship and having it 'ripped out of your hand' was immense, leading to difficulties with basic daily tasks and a reluctance to watch past games.

Haliburton states, 'It wasn't about I got hurt or like the injury. I knew I was going to get surgery... It was just more so about the heartbreak of being in that situation somewhere you dream of being at your whole life and it just kind of, you know, get ripped out of your hand so fast.' He also mentions, 'It's hard for me to even go back and watch cuz I know how it ends.'

Haliburton reveals that his infamous 'choke' gesture against the Knicks was a premeditated act, inspired by Reggie Miller's historical rivalry with New York. He waited for the opportune moment when the Knicks would 'choke a lead' to deploy the gesture, demonstrating a deep understanding of NBA history and rivalry.

Haliburton explains, 'I used to watch that all the time. That's how I got to know who Reggie Miller was. And so, when I got traded to Indiana, that conversation was always there... I'm like the next Reggie to the Pacers... I'm waiting for the right time... They got to choke a lead and it's got to happen the right time.'

Haliburton firmly believes he is the best point guard in the Eastern Conference, attributing this self-belief to a 'delusional confidence' necessary for achieving greatness. He also embraced being voted the 'most overrated player' by his peers, using it as a 'battery' for himself and his team, which he felt was disrespected.

Haliburton states, 'It's impossible to be to like achieve the most if you don't believe that you're the best... it could be almost a delusional confidence, but that's what allows me to do what I do.' Regarding the 'overrated' vote, he said, 'It's the battery I need... it helped, you know, push our team a lot.'

Haliburton emphasizes that a road team's primary goal in the playoffs is simply to 'win one' game to shift pressure. The hosts, particularly Cam, criticize New York Knicks fans for their 'mediocracy' and tendency to over-celebrate early playoff successes, arguing it 'jinxes' their championship chances.

Haliburton notes, 'If you're the road team, your job is just win one.' Cam states, 'New York hasn't won in so long that we just get excited over too many things... when they get hyped like this, it pisses me off because at least... get to the championship if you're going to start naming streets after.'

The conversation touches on the historical shift from five-game to seven-game first-round playoff series. Haliburton acknowledges that more games offer more opportunities for upsets but notes the rarity of 8-1 upsets. The hosts conclude that the NBA will not revert to shorter series due to the financial incentive of 'more games is more money.'

Haliburton discusses, 'How many 8-1 upsets has there been since they went to seven games? Probably not... I say just keep it seven.' Cam adds, 'More games is more money. So, they they definitely not going back to that.'