The Indiana Pacers are on a run of their own this season, and the credit for their success goes in large part to Tyrese Haliburton. The superstar point guard has two NBA All-Star selections to his name.
All of that just to find Stephen A. Smith unimpressed of him.
Despite Haliburton’s phenomenal performance at Madison Square Garden, the ESPN First Take analyst is still far from impressed.
Recently, Smith went on his usual rant over what he thinks of Haliburton and how he believe that he’s not a superstar.
“I think he’s a damn good player; I think he’s a star in this league. But superstar status is reserved for the select few, and I don’t view him[Tyrese Haliburton] that way,” Smith said.
Stephen A. Smith still doesn’t view Tyrese Haliburton as a superstar
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 22, 2025
"Superstar status is reserved for the select few, and I don't view him that way."
(🎥 @FirstTake )
pic.twitter.com/BCxfTF0NrM
However, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, a noted Knicks fan, disagrees with the idea of the Pacers star getting his due credit. He acknowledges Haliburton as a star but stops short of labeling him a superstar.
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“However, I know that he shows up in clutch moments, and he deserves that credit. He’s a big-time player, and I like him a lot. I’ve always said that, so I don’t have to worry about how I’m being perceived in terms of what I have to say about him because I’ve always celebrated him,” he added.
Smith argues that while Haliburton has made significant plays, superstar status should be reserved for a select few. Stephen A. also went on to compare Haliburton’s clutch moments to those of Robert Horry, who is not traditionally regarded as a superstar.
Fans Put Stephen A. Smith To Blast For Tyrese Haliburton Comments
Tyrese Haliburton made a dramatic buzzer-beater to help the Pacers stage a 14-point comeback against the Knicks. With his heroics, Indiana tied the game at 125-125 and forced it into overtime, where the Pacers ultimately won 138-135.
It allowed Haliburton to tie for third place in the all-time list for most game-tying or go-ahead shots made in the final five seconds of a game since 1997. He now stands alongside Kobe Bryant and Khris Middleton, with four shots, while Reggie Miller has five and LeBron James leads with eight.
However, Stephen A. Smith turned a deaf ear to all of these accolades and refused to call him a ‘superstar. And NBA fans on social media are going after him for his analogy.
“He’s salty over last night. That’s why. What he’s done these playoffs is superstar sh*t,” a fan wrote.
He’s salty over last night. That’s why.
— Richard Staple, BSN, RN🇯🇲 (@RichStapless) May 22, 2025
What he’s done these playoffs is superstar shit
“I swear it’s on purpose at this point,” another fan commented.
I swear it’s on purpose at this point
— Yeah Yeah! (@YeahYeahOkBro) May 22, 2025
“This is why people hate sports media now. Game 1 of the ECF. Maybe the best game of the year. A great come back and a great performance by Hali and others and the topic is if he’s a superstar or not. Instead of talking about the game and sport itself. Then we have other big platforms sharing it. Nobody skilled and everyone looking for clicks. Who in the hell keeps this show in business!?” a third fan asked.
This is why people hate sports media now. Game 1 of the ECF. Maybe the best game of the year. A great come back and a great performance by Hali and others and the topic is if he’s a superstar or not. Instead of talking about the game and sport itself. Then we have other big…
— Jason Palmer (@datboip_) May 22, 2025
“He’s so pressed about last night lol it’s so obvious it’s on purpose dude is a hater,” another comment read.
He’s so pressed about last night lol it’s so obvious it’s on purpose dude is a hater 😂
— Curry Flurry 😈 (@babyfacedubs) May 22, 2025
“Smith needs a belt treatment this time, only another LeBron treatment can fix me now,” a fan quipped.
Smith needs a belt treatment this time, only another LeBron treatment can fix me now😂😂
— Sanno 🇮🇳 (@sh_scribe) May 22, 2025
“Stephen A. Smith is joke for this comparison. This is BAD,” a comment read.
Stephen A. Smith is joke for this comparison. This is BAD.
— Jay (@btcguy35) May 22, 2025
Additionally, following his buzzer-beater, Haliburton attempted a celebration reminiscent of Reggie Miller’s iconic choke sign. However, he later realized that his shot only got him two points rather than three, which made him feel he missed the chance to celebrate correctly.
The Pacers’ comeback marked the third instance in these playoffs where they overcame a seven-point deficit in the final minute to secure a victory. Haliburton finished the game with impressive stats: 31 points, 11 assists, and four rebounds.
