Although Stephen A. Smith refuses to call Tyrese Haliburton a star, the ESPN analyst gave the former Cyclone his flowers on First Take.

Haliburton is easily the heel in this scenario. After being voted the most overrated player in the NBA by his peers, Haliburton went on a tear, leading the Pacers to series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s taken up the mantle passed on by Pacers’ legend Reggie Miller in irking the Knicks fanbase beyond their wits’ end.

This is Brunson vs. Haliburton just as much as it’s Knicks vs. Pacers — and it has the makings of a good ole-fashioned basketball rivalry.