NBA Twitter thrives on drama, debate, and hot takes—but every now and then, someone says something so wild, so bold, and so disruptive that it doesn’t just trend for a few hours—it owns the conversation. This week, that someone was @foestar13.
Known for his deep basketball analysis and occasionally spicy commentary, @foestar13 set the internet ablaze with a single, controversial statement: “Tyrese Haliburton is tracking to have a more impactful career than Kyrie Irving.”
Yes, you read that right.
The tweet dropped in the middle of a quiet Tuesday afternoon. Within minutes, it had racked up thousands of likes, quote tweets, and replies. By sundown, it was trending across NBA circles, with everyone from casual fans to former players weighing in. And by Wednesday morning, ESPN was playing the clip on First Take while Stephen A. Smith furiously rubbed his temples.
So how did we get here?
The Origin of the Take
The now-viral moment came during a livestream on @foestar13’s YouTube channel, where he was breaking down point guard play across the league. While praising Haliburton’s rise in Indiana, Foestar casually dropped the now-infamous line while comparing the young guard’s efficiency, leadership, and team impact to some of the league’s more established stars.
He acknowledged Kyrie’s shot-making brilliance and all-time handle but argued that Haliburton’s ability to elevate teammates, run an offense, and avoid drama gave him the edge long-term. “We’re talking about a guy who makes everyone around him better and doesn’t need 25 shots a night to do it,” he said. “He’s more floor general than highlight reel—and that wins games.”
Immediate Fallout
The response was instant.
Fans of Kyrie Irving—arguably one of the most skilled guards in NBA history—were furious. Tweets like “This man needs to be drug tested” and “Pack it up, FOEstar. This ain’t it” were par for the course. Others took a more nuanced approach, acknowledging Haliburton’s impressive numbers but defending Kyrie’s championship pedigree.
But there was also a sizable group who agreed with the take—or at least, didn’t find it completely absurd.
“He’s not wrong,” one fan tweeted. “Kyrie’s had a volatile career. Haliburton looks like he’s building something sustainable, steady, and elite.”
Soon, bigger voices joined the fray. Kendrick Perkins tweeted, “Haliburton is SPECIAL. Let that young man cook. FOE cooking with fire on this one.” Meanwhile, JJ Redick went on The Old Man and the Three podcast and dissected the argument from a player’s perspective, saying, “I wouldn’t go that far, but I understand where FOEstar’s coming from. Tyrese impacts winning in a very unique way.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie
When you strip away the emotional reactions, the numbers are at least worth looking at.
Through his first few seasons, Haliburton has averaged around 17 points and 9 assists on elite efficiency. He leads one of the fastest-paced, highest-scoring offenses in the league. His assist-to-turnover ratio is top-tier, and he already looks like the kind of player franchises build around.
Kyrie, on the other hand, had flashier numbers and jaw-dropping moments early in his career—but also faced criticism for his defense, inconsistent availability, and off-court controversies. Of course, he also hit arguably the biggest shot in NBA Finals history and won a title alongside LeBron James.
So what’s more valuable: sustained team-first excellence or dazzling moments of individual brilliance?
The Larger Debate
What @foestar13 really sparked wasn’t just about Haliburton or Kyrie. It was a broader discussion about how we evaluate greatness.
Do rings still matter the most? What about consistency? Team leadership? Do you weigh skill or impact more? And how much should drama factor in?
The divide on Twitter wasn’t just between fanbases—it was philosophical. One camp argued that Kyrie’s transcendent skill and clutch performances make him irreplaceable. The other pointed out that Haliburton might never match Kyrie’s highlights, but his career could be longer, more stable, and ultimately more beneficial to his teams.
Haliburton Responds
Amid the chaos, Haliburton kept things classy. In a post-practice media scrum, he smiled when asked about the viral debate.
“That’s Twitter for you,” he said. “I’ve got a long way to go before I can be in any conversation like that. But it’s cool people are paying attention to what we’re doing in Indiana.”
A true floor general answer.
What This Means Going Forward
Love it or hate it, @foestar13’s take did exactly what the best takes do—it made people think, it got people talking, and it challenged the status quo.
In today’s NBA media landscape, hot takes are a dime a dozen. But the ones that hit hardest are rooted in something deeper: a bold vision, a shift in perspective, a willingness to say what others won’t. That’s what @foestar13 tapped into, and whether you agree with him or not, you can’t deny the impact.
Tyrese Haliburton still has a lot to prove. Kyrie Irving is still writing his own legacy. But for a couple days in May 2025, thanks to one tweet, the whole basketball world was locked in—debating, dissecting, and arguing like only NBA Twitter can.
And somewhere in the chaos, @foestar13 was probably just sipping his coffee, scrolling through the madness, and smiling.
