Tyrese Haliburton, the guard for the Indiana Pacers and a two-time All-Star, has channeled the criticism of being 'overrated' into a motivating force during the 2025 NBA playoffs. Following a notable poll conducted among players by The Athletic's Sam Amick and Josh Robbins, Haliburton emerged as the most frequently named player deemed overrated. In response to this label, apparel company Puma has launched a T-shirt featuring the phrase 'Overrate That,' capturing Haliburton's journey through this postseason.

In the poll, which garnered a limited response of only 90 votes, Haliburton received 13 mentions, leading to significant media attention despite the small sample size within the expansive NBA landscape. Haliburton, at 25 years old, acknowledged the impact of the poll while expressing that he has developed what he refers to as an 'immunity to rejection,' a sentiment shaped by interactions with prominent NBA players such as Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. 'At some point, worrying about what my peers think only holds so much weight,' Haliburton conveyed, emphasizing the importance of the opinions of those he admires in the league.

Despite the label of 'overrated' potentially affecting his ego, Haliburton has demonstrated his resilience by performing under pressure. He has been instrumental in crucial game moments, hitting pivotal shots and engaging with rival fans, showcasing his determination to prove skeptics wrong. As the Pacers continue their pursuit for an NBA Finals appearance, the 'Overrate That' shirts serve as a reminder of both the challenges he has faced and the memorable postseason journey undertaken by the team, regardless of the ultimate outcome.