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Pacers Legend Jalen Rose Offers Advice to Current Team About Reaching Title Goals

Courtney Tate

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As the Indiana Pacers gear up for the second half of the 2024-2025 NBA season, former Pacers star Jalen Rose has offered some valuable advice to his old team.

After a rollercoaster start to the season marred by injuries, the Pacers are in a strong position as the All-Star break comes to a close.

Sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 30-23 record, players like Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner have been instrumental in turning things around.

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Now, as the team enters what could be their most crucial stretch of games, Rose’s words provide some insightful guidance for a team that’s in playoff mode.

Rose, who played with the Pacers for six seasons, understands the challenges and growth that come with a team making a playoff run.

Reflecting on the Pacers’ near-miss in the 2000 NBA Finals, where they lost 4-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers, Rose recalled his confidence that the Pacers were on the verge of becoming consistent championship contenders.

"I felt like when we made it to the NBA Finals, not only were we going to win it, but our team and or the franchise would continue to make it back," Rose said.

However, since that Finals loss, the Pacers have not returned to that stage, but Rose remains hopeful for the future.

His advice to the current team, particularly his comments about learning through losses, is rooted in his own experience. Rose pointed out that teams must be prepared for setbacks on their journey to success.

"You're going to go to the playoffs. You're going to lose. You're going to take your lunch like they did last year," Rose said. "But you've got to just keep knocking on the door."

This sentiment reflects his understanding that the road to success is not linear, and the Pacers’ young core, including rising stars like Haliburton and Mathurin, will learn from those tough moments.

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Rose’s high praise for the current roster shows his optimism. He specifically highlighted Haliburton’s skill, his leadership, and his ability to elevate the team, noting that Halliburton is a key to the Pacers’ future success.

He also expressed admiration for Turner’s leadership and versatility, as well as Siakam’s ability to quietly rack up points. Rose also singled out Bennedict Mathurin, calling him a "wild card" with the potential to take the team to new heights as his role continues to grow.

Rose’s career with the Pacers was marked by passion, perseverance, and a genuine belief that Indiana could be a championship contender.

He played a crucial role on the 1999-2000 Pacers team that reached the NBA Finals, and his leadership both on and off the court remains a lasting part of the franchise’s history.

While the team fell short of its ultimate goal that year, Rose’s confidence in the current Pacers is a reminder of the importance of perseverance and continued growth in the pursuit of an NBA title.

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Courtney Tate
COURTNEY TATE

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