Myles Turner Talks NBA Rivalries and Tyrese Haliburton’s Unique Persona

Milwaukee, WI – Myles Turner, center for the Milwaukee Bucks, shared insights about NBA rivalries and his former teammate Tyrese Haliburton on the ‘Thanalysis Show’ podcast. Turner, who joined the Bucks this season on a four-year, $109 million deal, discussed the culture of the league, including the notion of ‘fake beefs.’

In an hour-and-24-minute episode alongside teammate Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Turner reflected on a memorable event from a previous season. The infamous postgame incident between the Bucks and the Indiana Pacers took place on December 13, 2023, when his former team refused to let Antetokounmpo leave without the game ball.

“That was so funny to me,” Turner recalled. “Y’all had the ball the whole time. That was the craziest part about it.” This anecdote led to a broader conversation on the appearance of toughness in the NBA.

When asked whether the league resembles WWE, filled with performative rivalries, Turner expressed his candid views. “At the end of the day, bro, that’s what it’s all about. Guys have egos. Some guys gotta be the tough guy,” he said. He emphasized that real confrontations are rare in the NBA due to the repercussions of suspensions and fines.

Turner also discussed Haliburton, who spent 3.5 seasons with him in Indiana. He called Haliburton a ‘troll’ and a ‘heel,’ characters Haliburton embraces. He noted that Haliburton knows he has support, allowing him to express himself freely during games.

<p“Tyrese also knows he’s protected, too,” Turner said. “He can go out there, talk his stuff, and he knows he has backup.” The playful yet serious dynamic between Haliburton and his opponents showcases the mix of personality and competitive spirit in the league.

When challenged to say something nice about Haliburton, Turner praised his professionalism and role as a teammate. “He’s a helluva teammate, bro,” he said. “He’s setting up all the team dinners. He’s definitely embodies that camaraderie.”

Haliburton, a two-time All-Star, recently suffered an injury that will keep him out for the entire 2025-26 season. Antetokounmpo expressed his support, saying, “I just want him to come back and be healthy.”

Turner, who played ten seasons with the Pacers, is set to face Indiana as an opposing player for the first time on October 31, 2025.