There was a lot of drama during Monday night’s NBA draft lottery, especially when the Dallas Mavericks managed to secure the first overall choice despite having the lowest odds and only a 1.8% chance, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Now that the Mavericks have the number one selection, it is generally assumed that they would choose Cooper Flagg of the Duke Blue Devils, who is regarded by many as the top talent. This week at the NBA Draft Combine, Flagg started taking part in drills and had a quick conversation with reporters.
In a brief interview with other elite prospects, Flagg was asked without hesitation who he thought was the NBA’s most underappreciated player.
Tyrese Haliburton, in my opinion,” Flagg said. “Because people constantly criticize him, say he’s overrated, and claim he’s not that good—but he’s just a really good basketball player.”
Tyrese Haliburton was chosen as the NBA’s most “overrated” player in an anonymous survey of players earlier this season by “The Athletic.”
The Indiana Pacers star has taken the criticism to heart despite that designation. With Indiana leading the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-1 in the series going into Tuesday night’s Game 5, he is now only one victory away from leading the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight season.
With two game-winning baskets in the postseason this year alone, Haliburton has become one of the NBA’s most clutch players during the last two seasons. Over the past four seasons, he has averaged over 17.5 points per game and over nine assists per game, reaching 10 assists per game in two of those seasons.
