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Tyrese Haliburton on James Johnson: “He’s been like a big brother to me”

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton couldn’t be happier to have veteran James Johnson on the roster this season.

(via Indiana Pacers):

Reporter: “Where has James [Johnson] been most impactful in this locker room?”

Haliburton: “Wow. In a lot of different ways, man, it’s hard to say and hard to put in one sentence. He’s been awesome. He’s been really awesome. From the minute he got here, first ever conversation, he’s like, ‘Man, I got your back. Don’t worry about anything.’ And playing against James Johnson, I knew you don’t mess with that guy. So when he came here and said that to me, I was like, ‘Alright, I’m good. I’m not worried about nobody. I got him with me.’ He’s been great for a lot of different guys. He’s the ultimate hype man for everybody in that locker room, coaches included. He just wants to see everybody succeed. Obviously, he’s played a lot of years in this league. He’s been around a lot of great players. I think anybody who’s been his teammate in the past would have a lot of positive things to say about him. 

“He’s been awesome for me because I think he challenges me because he’s seen it up close. He was with D Rose those first couple years when he was going to be MVP. He was with KD, Kyrie [Irving], James [Harden], all those guys. So he’s been around great players, and he challenges me to be one of those. It means a lot because it’s one thing for a GM to say something, coaches remember to say something, it’s a whole nother one for you when your teammate has a lot of trust in you. He’s been like a big brother to me. I just really appreciate having him and I’m looking forward to having him for the rest of the year. He’s a great person to have in my life for sure.”

Indiana Pacers Postgame Media Availability (vs. Portland Trail Blazers) | January 6, 2023
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