Musings of an Old Sportswriter

Musings of an Old Sportswriter

Share this post

Musings of an Old Sportswriter
Musings of an Old Sportswriter
Is Tyrese Haliburton a superstar, or a run-of-the mill star? We got some answers Thursday night in Pacers' Game 5 loss
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Is Tyrese Haliburton a superstar, or a run-of-the mill star? We got some answers Thursday night in Pacers' Game 5 loss

Superstars, like Jokic and Antetokounmpo, bring it every night. Haliburton, a wonderful player, does not. Until he does, he's not among the truly elite.

Bob Kravitz's avatar
Bob Kravitz
May 30, 2025
∙ Paid
27

Share this post

Musings of an Old Sportswriter
Musings of an Old Sportswriter
Is Tyrese Haliburton a superstar, or a run-of-the mill star? We got some answers Thursday night in Pacers' Game 5 loss
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
4
1
Share

As much as this pains me, I have to say it: Stephen A. Smith is right. Specifically, he’s right about Tyrese Haliburton. He’s a star, no doubt, a third-team All-NBA player, an Olympian, one of the rising young studs who will be a face of the league for years to come.

But a superstar?

I agree, it’s kind of a dumb TV argument. Like, how does one differentiate between a star and a superstar? Is it like the Supreme Court justice, Potter Stewart, who in 1964 said he couldn’t define pornography, but knew it when he saw it? That’s where I am on Haliburton. Superstars – like LeBron, like Steph Curry, like Nikola Jokic, like Giannis Antetokounmpo, like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – bring it every night. Some nights they’re not as consistently great, but rarely, if ever, do one of those guys put up just seven shots in an elimination game. Rarely, if ever, do they let the defense dictate what they want to do. Basically, he disappeared and did it one game after putting up a historically overwhelming stat line.

Musings of an Old Sportswriter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The issue, to the degree one exists, is this was completely predictable. You knew the Knicks would play with their hair on fire while facing elimination, and you knew Haliburton was going to have a quiet night. This has become a pattern that is undeniable.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Musings of an Old Sportswriter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Bob Kravitz
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More