The NBA’s Most Overvalued Player: Tyrese Haliburton? Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Reacts
Poll Results: Tyrese Haliburton Tops “Most Overvalued” List
In a recent survey of NBA players, Indiana Pacers’ guard Tyrese Haliburton was voted the most overvalued player in the league. The Athletic published the results of the annual survey, with 158 players voting anonymously. Haliburton received 14.4% of the votes, followed by Rudy Gobert (12.7%) and Trae Young (11.4%).
Coach Rick Carlisle Reacts: “That’s Absurd”
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was taken aback by the results, responding, That’s absurd.
After a playoff victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, Carlisle addressed the media:
“I heard about it. I want to see the faces of these guys who chose such players. I want to see their faces. The whole thing is nonsense and it is really shameful. Jimmy Butler would be an MVP candidate if he had switched to Golden State a year and a half earlier. Take a look at what the guy did. And Giannis: Do you want to fool me?” – Rick Carlisle, Pacers head coach
Carlisle was particularly perplexed by the inclusion of Jimmy Butler (4th place) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (10th place) in the list.
Haliburton Keeps It Light: “I Can’t Care What Others Think”
Meanwhile, Haliburton took the vote in stride. Speaking on a 2-0 lead in the playoff series with the Bucks, he commented:
“I can’t comment on that at all. I know who I am and I’m confident. I can’t care what others think. My teammates trust me.”
Teammate Pascal Siakam expressed support for Haliburton, saying, “I am glad that he is playing with us. Actually, he could also be the most undervalued player of the NBA if I am honest. What he does night after night is incredible.”
In the regular season, Haliburton averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game.
Did You Know?
This is the first time Haliburton has topped the “most overvalued” category in the NBA player poll.
Pro Tip
While the survey results stirred controversy, they also sparked conversation about the value perceptions of players across the league.