Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton bring plenty of stardom to the NBA Finals, contrary to popular belief.
The MVP winner is leading the 68-win Thunder into the championship series, while Haliburton continues to see postseason success with Indiana.
The two guards play completely different styles of basketball, yet they are both the engines of high-functioning offenses.
Gilgeous-Alexander gets the benefit of having a historically great defense behind him, however.
Still, the two will make for an exhilarating NBA Finals matchup, which outweighs market size, even if fans and media want to bring that in as a talking point.
Indiana Pacers' Rick Carlisle speaks to Tyrese Haliburton during a game against the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana Pacers' Rick Carlisle speaks to Tyrese Haliburton during a game against the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Gilgeous-Alexander, throughout the playoff run, has released more and more colorways to his signature shoe, as Converse has taken the opportunity as a marketing push.
Haliburton and Puma are following that same cadence, as the Pacers star got major news on Thursday -- the same day of the NBA Finals tipping off.
Haliburton's signature with Puma has been revealed, and it's set for a September release.
"Puma just announced a signature shoe for Tyrese Haliburton," Evan Sidery shared on X. "The ‘Hali 1’ will be available for purchase in September before the 2025-26 NBA season begins."
While the release of the shoe is quite a ways away -- dropping just in time for next basketball season -- the reveal couldn't come at a better time.
All eyes are on Haliburton and the Pacers as they try and continue their underdog story, aiming to knock off the 68-win Thunder, who have been a buzzsaw all season long.
The NBA Finals tip off on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. local time (8:30 p.m. ET), with Haliburton and Gilgeous-Alexander leading their respective squads.