Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Not Coveting Respect: 'I Don't Really Care How I'm Viewed'

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton is one of the brightest young stars in the NBA, but he's not concerned about perceptions about him from the rest of the league.

Haliburton, who is coming off a banner summer that included a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and a new shoe deal, was asked by The Athletic's James Boyd if he feels he's getting the respect he deserves from the rest of the NBA, and his answer may surprise many.

"That's a great question, and that's a complex question for me. Because to be honest with you, I think I've gotten to the point where I don't really care. I don't really care how I'm viewed," Haliburton said. "I know who I am. My group knows who I am. My coaches, my loved ones, they know who I am. And at the end of the day, the competitors know who I am because they have to scout and be prepared to play against my group. So, I don't really care at this point."

Earlier this week, Haliburton landed a massive shoe endorsement deal with Puma and is now expected to be the future face of the brand.

A two-time All-Star and the 2024 NBA assists leader, Haliburton has inserted himself into the conversation for best point guard in the league.

After leading the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, he said he's focused on continuing to achieve success in Indiana, which he knows would quell the outside noise.

"I think for me it's just about being the best player I can be, and whatever that is, is for other people to talk about and decide," he said.