The Indiana Pacers have already advanced much further in the playoffs than many people expected heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.
Even if they blow their lead against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers have earned praise from analysts and fans alike.
The East is full of great teams with a lot of star power, including the Knicks, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, and the Pacers weren’t viewed as a roster that could compete with the best of them.
However, they’ve rallied behind Tyrese Haliburton, who had an up-and-down regular season but has proven to be an emerging superstar in the playoffs.
Former Pacers star Paul George spoke highly of Haliburton’s influence on a recent podcast, going as far as to call him “the face of the NBA,” via NBA Central.
“He’s the face of the NBA.”
– Paul George on Tyrese Haliburton
(🎥 @PodcastPShow )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 29, 2025
George mentioned Haliburton’s late-game abilities, his ability to read the floor and interact with teammates, and his overall demeanor as major reasons for that distinction.
Haliburton might not look or act like a typical superstar, but he could be exactly who the NBA needs to represent it moving forward.
The Pacers are one win away from making it to the 2025 NBA Finals.
If that happens, Haliburton will have an opportunity on the biggest stage to show that he’s someone who should be given a lot more respect.
