Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has transformed criticism into motivation during the 2025 NBA playoffs. The two-time All-Star, who was recently labeled as overrated by several of his peers, has adopted a chip on his shoulder that has fueled his performance on the court. This critical assessment has not only spurred Haliburton but has also led to Puma creating a unique T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase, 'Overrate That.'

In a recent poll conducted by The Athletic's Sam Amick and Josh Robbins, Haliburton garnered significant attention as the leading vote-getter for the most overrated player in the league, with 13 players selecting him. While the poll generated substantial headlines, it is worth noting that only 90 responses were collected, which is a small sample size in the context of the larger NBA community. Haliburton's reaction to the label reflects his maturity and understanding of the opinions of his fellow athletes, as he shared insights with The Athletic's Jared Weiss about developing an 'immunity to rejection' through interactions with elite players like Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum.

Acknowledging the weight of peer opinions, Haliburton expressed that relationships with respected players make a significant difference. He emphasized the importance of honest feedback from elite players in the league, stating, 'I respect their opinions more than anybody.' However, the human aspect of Haliburton's character suggests that receiving an overrated label may have stung at first. Throughout the playoffs, he has demonstrated resilience by hitting crucial shots and engaging with opposing fans, indicating that he is relishing the opportunity to prove his skeptics wrong. Regardless of the outcome of the Pacers' playoff journey, even if they were to face a quick defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, the 'Overrate That' shirts would serve as a lasting tribute to a memorable postseason.