LeBron James shuts down Tyrese Haliburton’s critics after Indiana Pacers’ big Game 5 win against Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James came to the aid of Tyrese Haliburton, who has been on the receiving end of the most “overrated” player tag. Fans have chanted the same in games, but Haliburton remained strong and delivered his stunning performances throughout the playoffs. Now, as the Indiana Pacers eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers, James sends a heartfelt message to the 25-year-old Pacers standout.LeBron James didn’t hold back his praise for Tyrese Haliburton following the Indiana Pacers’ dominant series win over the Cavaliers. Taking to X, the four-time NBA champion gave the rising star his flowers, writing, “Hali fkn hooping!!!! Where the lames who said he was overrated??!! Quiet as hell. That boy NICE and even more someone everyone would love to play with! 🧠 🏀.”James pointed out Haliburton’s electric play through the post while showering praise for his high basketball IQ and team-first mentality. Indeed, these are the traits that have made him a cornerstone for Indiana and a fan favorite across the league. Additionally, getting nods from the league veteran who has arguably been the greatest of all time for many fans shows Haliburton’s caliber as a remarkable star.Haliburton delivered a stellar performance in 36 minutes of action in the Game 4 114-105 winner, leading the charge with 31 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting from the field. He was particularly lethal from beyond the arc, knocking down 6 of his 10 three-point attempts (60%) and added 5-of-6 free throws for good measure. Alongside his scoring, Haliburton contributed 8 assists and 6 rebounds, showing his all-around impact on the game.While he committed 4 turnovers, his offensive efficiency and floor leadership outweighed the miscues. His +27 plus-minus further highlighted his value on the floor, as the team thrived with him running the point.The Pacers guard was labeled the NBA’s “most overrated player” by a small but vocal group of peers in The Athletic's anonymous survey.Despite the noise, Haliburton has kept his composure both on and off the court. Following an emotional Game 2 win over the Cavaliers, in which he drilled a game-winning three with just seconds left, Haliburton calmly addressed the hecklers and critics: “Now that that label's there, it's going to be every time we play somebody… I just control what I can, man, and, yeah, overrate that.”Haliburton certainly showed that the label doesn’t define him. Also Read: Indiana Pacers knock off top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers as Tyrese Haliburton sparks stunning Eastern Conference Finals returnSome of the backlash may even stem from past playoff tension. Haliburton’s celebratory jab at Damian Lillard’s “Dame Time” gesture and Indiana’s early-round takedown of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks stirred emotions. But even amid controversy involving his father and Giannis, Haliburton remained focused on his games.