Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton appears to have turned a potentially disparaging label into motivation during the 2025 NBA playoffs. The two-time All-Star has approached each game with a renewed sense of determination, fueled by a critical assessment from his peers that branded him as 'overrated.' In an interesting twist, the apparel brand Puma has embraced this label by launching a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase 'Overrate That,' coinciding with Haliburton's elevated performance on the court.

The assertion that Haliburton was considered the most overrated player emerged from a poll conducted by The Athletic's Sam Amick and Josh Robbins, where he secured the highest number of votes. While the outcome generated significant headlines, it is worth noting that the survey garnered just 90 responses, a relatively small sample considering the size of the NBA. With 13 players selecting Haliburton, the implications of this label sparked conversations around the league, although its actual impact may have been overstated by the media.

Haliburton has remained unfazed by the criticism, attributing his resilience to discussions with fellow stars like Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. He acknowledged to The Athletic's Jared Weiss that he developed an 'immunity to rejection' through these interactions, emphasizing the importance of validation from respected peers. Haliburton's ability to brush off the disparaging label suggests he understands its weight, but he is now focused on letting his performance on the court speak for itself. As he continues to hit pivotal shots and engage with opposing fans, the 'Overrate That' shirts serve as a reminder of his commendable postseason run, even if the Pacers fall to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.