Dwyane Wade Breaks His Own Rule for Rising NBA Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Dwyane Wade has made it clear over the years that he rarely wears another player’s jersey. But in a recent episode on the WYN Network, Wade revealed he made an exception. “I told everybody I was going to go get a jersey from Halliburton,” he said, referring to Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Wade’s admiration for Haliburton didn’t stop at wardrobe choices. He spoke on the Pacers’ performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, noting their strong start and early lead at home. But Wade thought the team eased up. “They just kind of laxed a little bit. Just their effort,” he observed.
He contrasted that with Game 2. “Third quarter, fourth quarter, they was on their ass,” Wade said, praising Indiana’s aggressive approach and mental focus in the later stages. He used a relatable analogy to describe the need to stay on top of a tough opponent. “If you don’t put them to sleep, it’s like your kids, they’re going to keep coming out of the room.”
DeMar DeRozan showed respect for teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder. He praised their teamwork. He also pointed out their energy and effort.“Consistency and the connection that they have, you see it. Every game they went, whole team behind whoever’s getting in there,” he said.
Derozan mentioned he and LeBron James had talked the day before and agreed OKC would likely bounce back in Game 2. “They made the right adjustments,” he explained.
Wade and Derozan weren’t ready to count the Pacers out, though. Derozan said they’ve shown a pattern of resilience throughout the postseason. “They’ve been coming with a knockout punch every single series that gave them a chance.”
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.