Remember when NBA players were furious after Dwight Howard got snubbed from the NBA 75 list? Same energy this year. The Athletic’s 2025 player poll is catching heat after naming Tyrese Haliburton the league’s most overrated player. Back then, Stan Van Gundy stepped up for Dwight. This time, it’s Carmelo Anthony trying to flip the narrative for Haliburton. Only five seasons in, and Tyrese Haliburton already owns two All-Star selections. Yet somehow, he’s still labeled as “overrated.” Since joining the Indiana Pacers, Haliburton’s turned into a legit star; this year, too, he is averaging 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game in the 73 games he played in the regular season. He’s made two All-Star teams in just 4 seasons with Indiana, which isn’t easy in today’s league. Despite that, plenty of folks around the NBA remain unconvinced of his rise. Carmelo Anthony, no stranger to the grind, had to step up and defend the young guard.

Tyrese Haliburton has battled constant injuries since joining the Indiana Pacers, but has managed to stay fit for the most part this season. And his commitment? He has consistently hit over 30 minutes on average this season, besides scoring an important 21 points in game 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Meanwhile, Carmelo Anthony’s recent comments about the Pacers’ floor general are already buzzing through the fanbase. 

This year’s survey featured 158 NBA players, with at least one rep from every team weighing in on the results. In a wild twist, Tyrese Haliburton topped the list as the NBA’s most overrated player in The Athletic’s 2025 anonymous player poll. He grabbed 14.4% of the vote, beating out usual suspects Rudy Gobert and Trae Young. But Carmelo Anthony isn’t buying that poll for a second.

On a recent 7PM in Brooklyn episode, Melo fired back, saying, “We got to stop saying that Haliburton is overrated, we got to stop saying that he’s not good.” Carmelo didn’t hold back with his take and even threw a little shade Milwaukee’s way after their 1-2 skid against Indiana. He said, “I’m just saying he, Tyrese Haliburton, is very, very good, like let’s let’s let’s not negate that Milwaukee got to figure it out now like today tonight.”

Will the Bucks take Carmelo’s advice or keep stumbling against Indiana? But one thing’s certain. Melo is standing firmly behind the young hooper, Tyrese Haliburton. And it’s nothing new. Carmelo’s always stayed available for any young players looking for wisdom or guidance.

Carmelo Anthony urges the new gen to soak up game from him when in doubt

Carmelo Anthony’s got a message for the new generation of hoopers. When in doubt, hit him up. Seriously. This man’s been through it all, and he’s more than willing to drop gems if anyone’s willing to listen. Melo spent 19 seasons grinding in the league, and you’d think young players would be blowing up his phone for advice. Surprisingly, though, that’s not the case. “I tell a lot of people that. If I tell a hundred people that, probably only five or four people reach out,” Melo admitted on 7PM in Brooklyn. And honestly, that blows my mind.

The New York native hopes this changes soon, because if anyone can help young hoopers navigate the league, it’s guys like him. “I told you that from the first time I met him, I told him, ‘Whatever you need, I got you. Holler,” Carmelo said about Celtics star Jayson Tatum. And it wasn’t a one-time thing either. Carmelo makes it clear that this offer stands for anyone who needs it.

Players like him have faced every type of opponent, dealt with locker room politics, fought through injuries, and seen just about every high and low. And yet, Carmelo is polite enough to want these guys to reach out to him. “They think, ‘Oh, I’m too busy,’ or ‘He’s too busy,’ not knowing we actually want people to reach out,” he explained.

Honestly, it’s rare to see someone from Melo’s era so open and approachable. That’s why it’s wild that more young stars aren’t taking advantage of it. It’s like having a cheat code and refusing to use it.