Tyrese Haliburton isn’t very highly regarded by his peers in the NBA.
In the lead-up to Tuesday’s Game 2 against the Bucks, The Athletic’s annual anonymous player survey revealed the Pacers star earned the unwanted distinction of being voted the “Most Overrated Player” by his peers. According to the report, 13 of the 90 players who participated in the survey voted for Haliburton, with Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert and Hawks guard Trae Young rounding off the top three.
Haliburton responded to his naysayers in emphatic fashion, dropping 21 points and 12 assists in his team’s 123-115 victory. After guiding the Pacers to a 2-0 series lead, he said his negative billing was a badge of honor, as he had irked his peers enough for them to vote him as such.
“It [the poll] didn’t impact the way I played at all,” Haliburton responded. “I must be doing something right if that’s the case. I don’t have a big speech or comment on it. All I care about is this locker room and winning games, and we’re in a position to go to Milwaukee and continue this series on. I’m not too worried about that. I know who I am. I’m confident in my own skin and not worried what anybody thinks.”
Haliburton added that the only validation he cares about is that of his teammates, coaching staff and front-office executives.
