Tyrese Haliburton’s remarks, which downplayed the credibility of major media critics, drew a passionate response from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith—igniting a fresh round of debate about who gets to define NBA stardom.

After leading the Pacers to a pivotal Game 3 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton was asked about persistent calls from media pundits for him to be more aggressive offensively.

Haliburton responded candidly, saying, “Most of the time the talking heads on the major platforms, I couldn’t care less, honestly. What do they really know about basketball? The commentary is what it is at this point. It doesn’t matter. We’re in the NBA Finals, two wins away from an NBA championship.”

He emphasized that he tries to avoid social media and focus on his team’s goals, but acknowledged that the chatter is hard to escape when networks like ESPN dominate the sports landscape.

Stephen A. Smith responds: “focus on the finals”

Stephen A. Smith, never one to shy away from controversy, took Haliburton’s remarks personally and addressed them directly on ESPN’s First Take. Smith argued that Haliburton was deflecting legitimate criticism and accused him of being overly sensitive:

“Here’s my problem, it’s the sensitivity... It was your peers who voted you overrated. Not the media. You see how slick these dudes get? They try to point to the media. No! It’s your colleagues, it’s your contemporaries, present and former, who were questioning you.”

Smith also pointed out that many in the media, including former NBA players, have the credentials to critique Haliburton’s game. He insisted that much of the media has praised Haliburton’s playoff performance, but maintained that questioning his superstar status is fair game.

Superstar status and media critique

The exchange between Haliburton and Smith is emblematic of a larger debate in the NBA: who gets to define what makes a player a superstar?

While Haliburton has led the Pacers on a remarkable Finals run, media figures like Smith have continued to question whether his impact and consistency warrant the “superstar” label.

 For Haliburton, the focus remains on the court. As the Pacers sit two wins from an NBA title, he appears content to let his play do the talking, regardless of how the media chooses to frame his legacy. For Smith and his peers, the conversation will continue, as media scrutiny remains an inescapable part of the modern NBA landscape.