Yesterday, The Athletic released its annual anonymous NBA player poll—a perennial snapshot of leaguewide perception, part mythmaking, part mirror. Among its more expected suspects—SGA for MVP, the Thunder’s Mark Daigneault as best coach, and the Warriors once again lauded for organizational excellence—one question drew the kind of attention reserved for hot takes and halftime debates:

“Who’s the most overrated player in the league?”

The answer? Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers’ all-star floor general and Team USA gold medalist received 14.4% of the vote—followed by perennial Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and budding superstar Trae Young. 

It’s a curious claim. Haliburton, now in his fifth season, is the architect of Indiana’s ascendance. He averaged about 19 points and 9 assists per game this year, is a two-time All-Star selection, and has a third-team All-NBA nod on a résumé that also boasts Olympic gold.

Haliburton, for his part, heard the noise but didn’t blink.

In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Haliburton delivered a masterclass: 21 points, 12 assists, his sixth career postseason double-double and, most importantly, a 2-0 series lead.

“I must be doing something right if that’s the case,” Haliburton told The Athletic regarding the poll. “I don’t have a big speech or comment on it. All I care about is this locker room and winning games… I know who I am. I’m confident in my own skin and not worried what anybody thinks.”

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle took a more direct route.

“I heard Jimmy Butler and Giannis were also mentioned,” he scoffed. “I want to see the guys’ faces who voted that way. This poll is bulls—. Not everyone even participated. Some were asked on camera, with a mic in their face. It’s a shameful thing.”

Maybe so. But Haliburton isn’t concerned with the court of public opinion. He’s in the business of winning basketball games—and business, at the moment, is booming.