Sure, when discussing modern-day NBA superstars, Tyrese Haliburton usually does not rank among the most dominant offensive forces. He is not the kind of player who consistently drops 30 points on a nightly basis and, in fact, he has never even averaged 21 points per game in a season.
But that still does not stop Colin Cowherd from showering praise on the two-time All-Star, even going as far as calling him the “Stephen Curry of the Midwest.”
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Not because Hali scores the same way Curry does, but because, according to Cowherd, Tyrese carried himself similarly. Like Chef Curry, the 26-year-old Pacers guard is charismatic with his dressing style, comfortable in his own personality, willing to share the spotlight with his teammates and has transformed himself into one of the league’s most marketable faces when he had the odds stacked against him.
“I’m talking about selling shoes, a likable personality, plays with joy,” Cowherd said. “I’m saying in the Midwest – there’s this kind of handsome, funny, playful, joyful leader of a franchise that you can’t help but like. Elevates his teammates. He’s kind of polarizing to guys, but you can’t quite figure it out. You’d be like Steph Curry. No, no, that’d be Tyrese Haliburton.”
Hali defied the odds like Curry
Interestingly, Steph himself once faced similar doubts early in his NBA career. During his first three seasons, he battled recurring injuries and lacked major individual accolades. Some questioned whether the undersized guard could truly lead a franchise.
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He had not even guided his Warriors team into the playoffs until that stage, leading critics to wonder whether his playing style was productive enough.
But Steph started silencing those doubts during the 2012-13 season when he averaged 22.9 points per game in the regular season and 23.4 points in the postseason to lead Golden State to the second round.
Eventually, he transformed a franchise that previously lacked championship relevance into a dynasty, leading them to three championships in four years and five consecutive appearances in the championship round.
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Hali has not reached that level of dominance yet, but he has faced his share of doubts. After being traded from Sacramento to Indiana, he was disrespected by being labeled the most “overrated player in the NBA.”
He didn’t answer through words, but by leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals for the first time in over two dozen seasons – in a run that saw him knock four game-winning (or tying) shots in the playoffs alone.
All eyes are on Haliburton
And while Colin’s praise may seem lofty, the entire Pacers organization and fanbase have clearly realized just how important Hali is. His absence due to an Achilles injury during the entire 2025-26 season completely derailed Indiana’s momentum, as the Pacers managed just 19 wins without him.
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That alone showed how heavily the franchise depends on his leadership, scoring, playmaking and overall presence. Now it’s all upon the two-time All-Star to prove his worth in the 2026-27 season.
Still, Cowherd’s comparison is worth noting – Tyrese rarely loses his composure, does not rely on excessive physicality and prefers letting his game do the speaking – qualities Curry has embodied throughout his career.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.