In today’s NBA, “overrated” gets thrown around far too easily, especially for young stars who rise quickly. Tyrese Haliburton has found himself in that conversation: with critics questioning whether his flashy stats translate into real winning basketball. But now, after reaching the Eastern Conference Final two years in a row and leading the Indiana Pacers to a real shot at an NBA championship, it’s time to drop that “overrated” label for good. Haliburton is where you find pure hoops.
From the moment Haliburton entered the league, his basketball IQ, unselfish play, and silky shooting caught everyone’s attention. But people wondered whether he could be the face of a playoff team. At just 24 years old, he’s redefined what it means to be a modern NBA point guard. Haliburton isn’t overrated; he’s underrated by those who will still see him as anything less than a top-tier leader.
In the 2023-2024 regular season, Haliburton averaged over 20 points and 10 assists per game, becoming one of the few players in the league to do so. He was the engine of the league’s most efficient offenses, turning the Pacers into one of the fastest and most dangerous transition teams in the NBA. And it’s not just stats; he also makes the players around him better. His vision and creativity elevate teammates who might be role players into serious threats on the court.
Critics say he doesn’t dominate the game physically like other stars, but that misses the point. Haliburton doesn’t need to overpower anyone. He controls the tempo, sees plays two steps ahead, and accurately delivers passes. His ability to lead a team, especially in high-pressure playoff situations, is proof of his maturity and basketball brilliance.
This year’s playoff run has silenced many of the doubters. In the 2024 and now 2025 playoffs, Haliburton has consistently performed under pressure, hitting clutch shots and setting up key players when it matters most. Leading the Pacers to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals, something the franchise hasn’t done in years, is no small feat. With a real shot at winning a championship this year, it’s clear he’s doing more than just putting up numbers.
Tyrese Haliburton isn’t just a rising star. He’s a franchise cornerstone, a floor general, and a future MVP candidate. He’s brought hope back to Indiana and helped change the narrative around what leadership looks like in today’s NBA. If anything, the basketball world still hasn’t fully realized how good he is.
Calling Tyrese Haliburton “overrated” at this point isn’t just lazy; it’s wrong. The numbers, the leadership, the playoff success: everything lines up. He’s proving himself on the biggest stage, and if he wins a championship this year, the doubters will forever be silenced.
