Tyrese Haliburton was embarrassed by his dad beefing with Giannis Antetokounmpo

The only thing we should be talking about on Wednesday morning was the mammoth achievement by the Pacers to advance past the Bucks in the NBA Playoffs, and the incredible game by Tyrese Haliburton — including hitting the game-winner.

Instead, his father, John Haliburton has become the focal point after getting into inane beef with Giannis Antetokounmpo for no reason. John hit the court as soon as the buzzer sounded and began waving a towel with his son’s face on it, while jawing with Giannis.

It would be one thing if there was beef between the players in the series, but there really wasn’t. In fact, both Antetokounmpo and Haliburton are known as hard competitors, but also extremely humble and respectful. Sure, perhaps John Haliburton just got caught up in the moment — but he also acted like an absolute idiot, especially towards a guy as widely respected in the NBA as Giannis.

Antetokounmpo spoke to the media after the game about the incident, saying it would be the last time he addressed it.

“I believe in being humble in victory. That’s the way I am. A lot of people out there can be like ‘no, when you win the game you’ve got to talk s***. It’s a green light to be disrespectful towards someone else.’ I disagree. [...] Having a fan, which in the moment I thought he was a fan — and they I realized he was Tyrese’s dad. Which, I love Tyrese, I think he’s a great competitor. Coming on the floor and showing me his son’s towel, with his face, ‘This what we do, this is what we effing do. This is what the eff we do.’ I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.”

Antetokounmpo went on to say that his late father taught him about humility and respect, which was born out of being from nothing and doing everything to provide for his family in Greece after they emigrated from Nigeria.

It was an articulate, wonderful response from one of the elite talents in the NBA. There are some players who would garner a response like this from a family member, but not Giannis — who is graceful in victory, defeat, and everything in between.

Haliburton said his father was wrong for walking onto the court and trying to start something with the Bucks star, chalking it up to his dad being overly emotional and getting caught up in the game — while still acknowledging that it never should have happened.

At the end of the day it’s simple: Whether it’s a Little League game or the NBA, the game is about the players. Absolutely celebrate the achievements of those you love, but don’t be a horse’s ass and pretend like you’re one of the players who has earned the right to trash talk. That is supposed to stay on the court or field, and all it does it make you look selfish and dumb.