A new list of the NBA’s 50 best current players was recently put out and Pacers fans will be surprised to see where Haliburton ranks, and not in a good way. So without further adieu, here’s the whole new list:
- Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
- Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
- Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
- Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
- Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
- Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
- Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
- Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
- Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
- DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
- Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
- Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
- LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
- Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
- James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
- De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
- Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks
- Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors
- Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
- Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
- Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks
- CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans
- Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
- Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
- Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
- RJ Barrett, New York Knicks
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors
- Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors
Thinking that Haliburton is the 48th best player in the NBA is absolutely befuddling, so let’s talk about players that shouldn’t be above Haliburton on a list like this.
Haliburton should clearly be above many of the names on this list.
There is a lot to not like about this list. The thought that Anthony Davis is lower than LaMelo Ball or Pascal Siakam is borderline irrational. But the one player I would say is most direspected by this ridiculous list is Tyrese Haliburton, who has many names on this list that have no business being above him.
Just to name a few of the more ridiculous ones: (1) RJ Barrett, (2) Anthony Edwards, (3) Jarrett Allen, (4) Andrew Wiggins, and (5) Brandon Ingram are the first few that come to mind. My gut feeling is that Haliburton is actually probably around the 25-30 ranges, around where Bam Adebayo and Darius Garland are. That seems to be an appropriate place for the best point guard in the eastern conference and 2023 all-star that for large parts of the season has led the league in assists.
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