Pacers Tyrese Haliburton Says He Has Critics Like Jesus

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton remains one of the most criticized players in the NBA.

Despite leading the Pacers to a second appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals and averaging 17.5 points, 9.3 assists, 5.5 total rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and 0.7 steals in the playoffs, fans and actual NBA players have called Haliburton overrated.

Recently, Haliburton has dismissed these criticisms by pointing out that even someone who is considered by many to be flawless has critics.

"“I have critics in what I do," Haliburton said on the Pat McAfee Show. "Jesus had critics. We all got critics.”

“I have critics in what I do. Jesus had critics. We all got critics.”

— Tyrese Haliburton on negative criticism from NBA fans

(via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/VdnwGw4l7M
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 15, 2025

While Haliburton is by no means comparing himself to Jesus Christ, he is correct in pointing out the unwarranted criticism.

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Despite being voted the most overrated player in the league by anonymous NBA players, Haliburton has gone on to prove that he is the difference maker on the Pacers.

This was most evident in Indiana's final game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where Haliburton put up 31 points, eight assists, six total rebounds, one steal, and one block.

Tyrese Haliburton in 4 close out wins in his playoff career:

25 PPG | 52.9 FG% | 8.3 APG | 5.3 RPG pic.twitter.com/H3FmQ96JZd
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 14, 2025

Additionally, Haliburton's postseason performance is reflective of his play in the regular season, where he averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 total rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game across 73 games.

Even through this excellent play, multiple people consider Haliburton overrated, something his teammates vehemently disagree with.

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"He enjoys the moments like you just saw," center Myles Turner said. "He wants the ball in his hands. There's a lot of guys I've seen and guys I've played with who don't necessarily want to take that shot, who don't necessarily want to be in the mix right there. He relishes those moments and it's just a testament to his work ethic, his mental toughness, his mentality. Quite frankly, that boy cold, man. He just does it over and over again."

Even the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James called out Haliburton's haters.

"Hali fkn hooping!!!!" James said on social media. "Where the lames who said he was overrated??!! Quiet as hell. That boy NICE and even more someone everyone would love to play with!"

Needless to say, Haliburton is going to be just fine in the NBA. And if he continues to maintain this excellent level of play, we could be seeing a future NBA Champion.

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