From 1999 to 2018, with a few exceptions, the Indianapolis Colts were one of the most consistent teams in the NFL. Between Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, the Colts had a steady hand at quarterback and made the playoffs 16 times under those gunslingers.
They made two Super Bowls, winning one, while the Indiana Pacers, for the most part, fell short to LeBron James or the Boston Celtics during the same span.
However, as Anthony Richardson struggles to stay healthy, the Colts have taken a step back, and with Tyrese Haliburton leading the way, the Pacers have stepped up as the best team in the state.
With Caitlin Clark leading the Indiana Fever, Indiana is once again basketball country.
After the Pacers made their first Finals since 2000, Myles Turner took a moment to compare Haliburton to some all-time great Indiana athletes.
"It’s all happened so fast, but he’s done a great job of composing himself and showing up when it matters the most," Turner said on Saturday. "So yeah, when you want to say he’s the Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck of the city, it makes sense. He's the head of the snake."
Haliburton has received his fair share of criticism, especially after getting off to a slow start this season, although he has certainly bounced back in the playoffs, hitting five go-ahead or game-winning shots in the postseason.
“I’m just proud of the way he’s handled everything," Turner continued.
The Pacers stole Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder before losing Game 2, but will head back home to Indiana with the series evened up. Game 3 will tip off on Wednesday.
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