Selfishly, Olympics Went Perfectly For Pacers, Fever Fans

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For Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, the uproar about Team USA basketball from Hoosiers was about his lack of playing time. For Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, it was about her not being on the roster at all.

The explanation for Clark not making the team was sound at the time of the roster announcement, but soon many began to question it as her play improved. One also can’t discount the amount of eyes she would have drawn to the women’s team. For Haliburton, his lack of playing time ultimately boiled down to his defensive struggles, an undisclosed hamstring issue, and a general lack of minutes to go around on a loaded men’s roster.

Both players are competitors. Both surely would have loved to be making an impact on the court for their country. But if you’re a Pacers or Fever fan, the Olympic break went about as perfectly as it could have.

For Haliburton, he got to have the experience of winning a gold medal with some of the all-time greats, got to learn from them, all while not taking any tread off the tires. Haliburton was hurting at the end of the NBA season and dealt with an unannounced hamstring issue during the Olympics. He clearly was deserving of making the roster, but also needed time to rest and recover. With Team USA, he got that time, and a gold medal to boot.

For Clark, while her presence on the women’s roster would have drawn more eyes, she also needed a rest. With there hardly being a break between the end of her college career and the start of her professional one, and all the media attention she gathers, it would be no surprise if she was feeling a little drained, to put it lightly. Based on her performance in the Fever’s first two games since returning to action, some rest was just what the doctor ordered. Clark was phenomenal against the Mercury and the Storm, and the Fever got big wins over teams with winning records.

Both Clark and Haliburton will have their time in the sun for Team USA. And while both were probably deserving of having more of an impact on Team USA, you might not hear too many Indiana basketball fans complaining about the extra rest for their star players.

During the Tuesday edition of The Ride With JMV, John spoke to Jeremiah Johnson and Noah Eagle about Team USA and more. Listen to those conversations and more down below, and tune into The Ride With JMV weekdays from 3-6pm on 93.5/107.5 The Fan!

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