TyreseHaliburton

Preseason question: There is offseason footage of Hali busting out an East Bay Funk Dunk, looking noticeably stronger after recovering not only from one of the most devastating injuries in all of sports but also from an unforeseen bout with shingles. Not all summer hype videos are created equal, but this one was promising, if only as a window into Haliburton’s evolution as he enters what should ostensibly be his prime years. He’s managed to craft a unique brand of stardom out of his helter-skelter open-court game, but his clear lack of strength often meant that something had to give—and often, it was his own body. Hali’s combination of volume pull-up shooting from long distance and a dynamic drive-and-dish game already made him one of the most impactful lead guards in the league, but fragility had always been a concern. The increased bulk that Haliburton is carrying on his frame may alter his squirrelier impulses on the break, but the ability to absorb contact and put defenses in compromising situations is an essential part of the modern offensive lexicon. It appears he’s taken cues from the WWE superstars he’s idolized all his life: The eccentricities of his game got him to where he is today, but for continued success, building out his frame and establishing a sustainable repertoire of moves is what’s best for business.