Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton appears to have taken the criticism of being labeled overrated in stride. The two-time All-Star has emerged with a determined mindset throughout the 2025 NBA playoffs, fueled by the motivation of proving doubters wrong. In a bold move, the sports apparel company Puma has embraced this experience by launching a T-shirt that boldly showcases the phrase, 'Overrate That.' This attention stems from a recent poll conducted by The Athletic's Sam Amick and Josh Robbins, where Haliburton was identified as the most overrated player in the league based on the votes from his peers.

The poll, which garnered responses from 90 players, identified that 13 players voted for Haliburton, igniting discussions beyond the scope of the survey itself. While the sample size is relatively small for a league as expansive as the NBA, the implications of the poll caught significant media attention. Haliburton's perspective on the poll reveals a maturity developed through his relationships with high-caliber players such as Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. In an interview with The Athletic's Jared Weiss, he expressed how these interactions have fostered an 'immunity to rejection,' indicating that he values the opinions of respected peers more than those from anonymous sources.

Despite the inherent emotional weight of being perceived as overrated, Haliburton has shown resilience. Notably, throughout the playoffs, he has made critical shots and engaged with fans, demonstrating his eagerness to counteract his critics. Even in the event that the Pacers advance to the NBA Finals only to fall to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the sentiment behind Puma's 'Overrate That' T-shirts will serve as a testament to an impactful postseason journey.