T.J. McConnell Says Calling Haliburton ‘Overrated’ Was ‘1 of the Worst Takes’ Ever

Indiana Pacers level guard Tyrese Haliburton has used the 2025 postseason to silence his doubters.

In The Athletic’s nameless participant ballot launched in April, Haliburton was voted because the league’s most overrated participant, however he dispelled that notion by main the Pacers to the NBA Finals in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Forward of Monday’s Recreation 5, Indiana guard T.J. McConnell stated throughout an look on SiriusXM NBA Radio that Haliburton by no means ought to’ve been thought of overrated within the first place.

“Actually unfair, not true. The entire overrated factor, I nonetheless cannot wrap my thoughts round it,” McConnell stated. “It’s one of many worst takes I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Haliburton has been one of many greatest stars of the playoffs after serving to lead the Pacers previous the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. Indiana is tied 2-2 with Oklahoma Metropolis coming into Monday’s Recreation 5 because the staff chases its first NBA championship in franchise historical past.

McConnell went on so as to add that Haliburton’s outdoors notion is way from actuality, and his robust relationship along with his teammates helps push the Pacers to be higher.

“The man is the furthest factor from overrated. He is an unimaginable teammate. He is proven the world all through these playoffs what sort of participant we see each day,” McConnell stated. “However individuals do not see what kind of particular person and teammate he’s. So when somebody says stuff like that about our franchise man, you wish to go to bat for him each single day. He is completed an incredible job of blocking out all that noise and simply specializing in our staff. That is who Ty is.”