In the NBA, everything can change in an instant — momentum, narratives, legacies, and even reputations. And if there’s one player who’s living proof of that right now, it’s Tyrese Haliburton.
Just a week ago, Haliburton’s name was circulating for all the wrong reasons. A players’ poll released by The Athletic revealed that he had been voted the most overrated player in the NBA by his own peers. Fans were stunned. Analysts debated the merit. And Haliburton? He kept his head down and went to work.
Fast forward seven days, and the headlines are no longer about overrated labels. They’re about playoff dominance, leadership under pressure, and a young Pacers team that just sent the Milwaukee Bucks home in the first round. That’s right — Haliburton helped orchestrate one of the biggest postseason surprises of the year, and he did it with the kind of poise and brilliance that demanded everyone’s attention.
What a difference a week makes.
Haliburton didn’t need to respond to the criticism with a quote or tweet. He let his performance do all the talking. In Game 6 against the Bucks, he was electric — dropping 27 points, dishing out 15 assists, and playing with the kind of court vision and control that you usually see in seasoned veterans. Every possession flowed through him. Every big moment found the ball in his hands. And more often than not, he delivered.
For the Pacers, this was more than just a win. It was a statement. Few expected them to get past Milwaukee, even with Giannis Antetokounmpo limited by injury. But Haliburton and company embraced the underdog role. They played faster, smarter, and with more hunger — and their point guard was at the center of it all.
Haliburton’s journey over the past week is a reminder of how volatile sports narratives can be. One moment, you’re being dismissed by your peers. The next, you’re proving them wrong on the biggest stage. His story resonates not just because of the numbers he put up, but because of how he handled the moment — calmly, confidently, and without losing focus.
It’s not the first time an athlete has been doubted, and it won’t be the last. But the speed at which Haliburton flipped the script is what makes this so compelling. From “overrated” to “undeniable” in just a matter of days, he turned a leaguewide slight into fuel — and it showed.
Now, as the Pacers prepare for the next round, the conversation around Haliburton has changed completely. He’s no longer the guy from the poll. He’s the engine behind one of the most exciting teams left in the playoffs.
So yes, what a difference a week makes. In basketball, reputations can shift overnight. But in Haliburton’s case, he didn’t just shift the narrative — he took control of it.
