Tyrese Haliburton Studies Austin Reaves’ Technique for Drawing Fouls
tyrese-haliburton-studies-austin-reaves-technique-drawing-fouls
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton says he is tracking film of Austin Reaves in hopes of adopting the Los Angeles Lakers guard’s knack for getting to the free-throw line.
Speaking with LeBron James on the “Mind the Game” podcast, Haliburton recalled asking Reaves during the 2023 FIBA World Cup how the undrafted guard generates so many trips to the stripe. “Tyrese, I don’t think you’re doing a good job of getting into guys’ bodies,” Reaves responded, according to Haliburton. The Pacers star now studies Reaves’ ability to “get to chest, tangle arms” and manufacture contact while rehabbing an injury this season.
Reaves, 27, entered the league on a two-way contract in 2021 and quickly earned a rotation role under then-coach Frank Vogel. Current coaches Darvin Ham and JJ Redick have since expanded his responsibilities as an on-ball creator and scorer. Over the opening stretch of this season, Reaves produced All-Star–level numbers: 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
Haliburton, 24, said Reaves is “the perfect example” of using physicality to force defenders into whistles—an element Haliburton believes is missing from his own game despite heavy minutes as the Pacers’ lead guard.
The two guards formed a bond while representing Team USA at last summer’s World Cup, and Haliburton now views Reaves’ approach as a blueprint for adding “easy points” to his scoring arsenal.
Reaves is slated to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason. Although he has expressed a desire to stay in Los Angeles, league observers expect a substantial contract offer, and the Utah Jazz are already reported among the interested clubs.
Source: LakersNation
