Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is used to being counted out. He’s been the underdog for the entirety of his career, and the doubters are out in full force during the 2025 NBA Finals. In a chat with the media before Game 2, Haliburton explained why so many people have trouble accepting his game and continue to question his place as one of the top players in the game.
“It’s unorthodox,” said Haliburton, via Brett Siegel. “My jumper, the way it looks, it [has] always been criticized coming into the NBA. I think that was honestly a big part of it. I think sometimes I affect the game that isn’t necessarily the gaudy, box score numbers. The way the game is digested by the fans sometimes. I think it’s a lot of boxscore watchers. So when my box score doesn’t look the way it’s supposed to, that’s a part of it as well. I don’t know the answer, but I know it’s probably not going to stop anytime soon.”
Every NBA star meets some resistance from the NBA community, but it seems like Haliburton is critiqued and overlooked more than most. Despite his success with the Pacers and as a point guard in general, Hali gets a lot of heat from the critics, who cite him as inconsistent and overrated.
Tyrese believes it has to do with his unusual game, which includes an awkward jumper and unseen ways of impacting the court. While he’s not a shooter like Stephen Curry or a flashy dunker like Ja Morant, he’s become something else entirely, and not everyone is so quick to embrace it.
For the Pacers, his impact is more than enough, and it’s taken them to places they haven’t seen in decades. As a juggernaut in the East, the Pacers know Haliburton’s true worth, even if the haters continue to downplay his greatness.
At this point, the only way for Haliburton to silence the critics is by stepping up when the Pacers need him most. With averages of 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game on 47.3% shooting, he was a beast in the regular season, and he’s been even better in the playoffs.
In 17 games in the playoffs so far, Haliburton has led the Pacers to a 13-4 record with averages of 18.5 points, 9.5 assists, and 5.9 rebounds on 46.6% shooting. With multiple comeback victories, the Pacers cruised through the East, and now they are just three wins away from becoming NBA champions.
If Haliburton continues this trajectory, nobody will be able to deny his status as one of the best players in the game and a defining point guard of the modern NBA. At just 25 years old, his career is approaching Hall of Fame territory, and there’s still so much time for him to add to his resume.
Fueled by the words of the doubters and naysayers, Haliburton plans to dominate the league for years to come, and he will go to any lengths to help ensure a championship for his team. No matter how unorthodox his game may be. Haliburton deserves respect and recognition as the NBA superstar that he is.
