6. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Through the first month of the season, there have been a few pleasant – and unpredictable – surprises in the Eastern Conference this season. They’re 7-4 through the first 11 games of the season and have the best offense in the NBA. The Pacers have been this season essentially what the Sacramento Kings were last season in the Western Conference. Will their season evolve as it did for the Kings last season? Who knows.
But it’s pretty safe to say that the Pacers are certainly headed in the right direction, and Tyrese Haliburton has been a big reason why. Haliburton has completely changed the culture for the Pacers and that has been evident much this season as he’s on pace to have another career year.
Haliburton is averaging 25 points, 13 assists, and four rebounds per game on 53 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent shooting from 3-point range. The best part of Haliburton’s game is that I don’t even think his greatest impact on the team can be measured by any counting stats.