“Pay You to Make Me Better” Ex-NBA Star Continues Taking Shots at Tyrese Haliburton’s Trainer for Creating Group Chat With Other Players

Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton has credited his trainer Drew Hanlen for instilling the confidence in him.

“Pay You to Make Me Better” Ex-NBA Star Continues Taking Shots at Tyrese Haliburton’s Trainer for Creating Group Chat With Other Players

Brandon Jennings has been taking shots at Tyrese Haliburton's trainer, Drew Hanlen (Image via FirstSportz)

Last season, Tyrese Haliburton led his Indiana Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals. There, they were swept by the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown-led Boston Celtics. This time, the Iowa State guard ensured history would not repeat.

He delivered some game and series-altering shots, and his overall performance led to many calling him a superstar. Along with that rise came an NBA trainer by the name of Drew Hanlen. He revealed how the Iowa State star’s unselfish attitude has helped him succeed.

The Pacers guard also revealed how his trainer has been using a group chat to motivate him and the other clients. The problem former player Brandon Jennings has with this method is that those other clients happen to be fellow star players.

He believes it is not right for a trainer to club rival players into a group chat. Hanlen shrugged off the suggestion and gave instances of his players’ performances to prove his point. But Jennings was not done. While on the NBA Finals Game 2 watch party, he said this.

As a trainer, I’m paying you to train me. They said Jayson Tatum was in a group chat with Joel Embiid. F**k Embiid, I pay you to make me great. You over here talking about why don’t have an MVP, or Embiid, you’ll never have a ring. You’ll never have a job again if you put me in this group chat.

Brandon Jennings said

Jennings believes it is pointless to be in a group chat with a rival player to gain motivation. His point is that as a trainer, Drew Hanlen should only be communicating to help build the said player’s skill. Trying to place him in a group with other players defeats the purpose of the competitive spirit.

Drew Hanlen has been working with Tyrese Haliburton for 3 years

Brandon Jennings might have a point about keeping the competitive spirit intact by not bringing two rivaling players together on the same platform. They are supposed to keep their motivation intact and bring their aggression out in the season.

A lack of aggression is what led Tyrese Haliburton to start working out with Drew Hanlen. As per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the 25-year-old started working with Hanlen ever since he got to the Indiana Pacers. Since then, the star point guard has been on the rise.

Tyrese Haliburton credits Hanlen for helping improve his aggressiveness when on the floor. He shoots more, looks to drive to the basket to create mismatches, and, as is evident by now, shoots when his team needs him the most.

All of this has come from the three-year collaboration the Iowa State alum and the trainer have had. Therefore, it might be a bit old school for Jennings to go off on Hanlen’s methods. It seems to be working as he has two clients playing in the NBA Finals, both as crucial pieces of their respective teams.

Drew Hanlen’s clients Tyrese Haliburton and Chet Holmgren battle in NBA Finals

Drew Hanlen has quite a few top-notch NBA stars as his clients. Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, Philadelphia 76ers duo Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, along with a few others. Along with Tyrese Haliburton, Hanlen has another client playing in the 2025 NBA Finals.

Drew Hanlen with Tyrese Haliburton, Chet Holmgren and Trey Murphy
Drew Hanlen with Tyrese Haliburton, Chet Holmgren, and Trey Murphy (Image via Open Source/X)

Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren is that other client. This means Hanlen has to make time for both his star clients and conduct individual workouts. In the Pacers’ guards’ case, his trainer would need him to score more.

That did not work out much in Game 2 as Haliburton’s 17 points were not enough to keep pace with the Thunder. Instead, it was Holmgren’s much-improved performance that helped his team win Game 2 and level the series. Soon, the trainer will be able to claim that he has a championship-winning client on his roster.

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