Myles Turner’s attack on Tyrese Haliburton wasn’t quite what it seemed

How much hate is there between Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton?

Turner, who signed a four-year, $107 million contract with the Bucks this offseason, recently spoke about his teammates with the star Pacers point guard. That included many positive comments – and one negative one that went viral.

Turner was asked to say “three nice things” about Haliburton.

“First and foremost, you have to respect the way he’s handled himself in his career,” Turner said. “When you come from Sacramento and that situation — you think you’re about to be the face of the franchise — then you come to Indiana and you almost reinvent yourself. So first of all, his professionalism and the way he carried himself, you can’t really fault him. That’s how he made himself.”

Turner went on to call Haliburton a “great teammate” responsible for organizing team bonding events and noted that his former teammate is “very close” with his family.

Three nice things indeed. Then co-host Tony Cartagena noted that Haliburton seems like the type of player you love to play with, but hate when he’s a rival.

Then Turner added this comment.

“Tyrese also knows he’s protected,” Turner said. “So he can go out there, say his stuff, say whatever he wants to do, and he knows he’s got a backup at the end of the day. Now he’s not going to say the same things when you’re standing in the middle of the street. That’s what guys don’t do in this league.”

That twelve-second clip flew across social media – and let the hot takes begin.

Haliburton is known for the theatrical celebrations — Knicks fans certainly remember a certain choke mark from last season’s Eastern Conference Finals — on the court.

Turner responded to the X brewing controversy.

Warning: graphic language

Turner and Haliburton helped the Pacers reach the NBA Finals last season, losing to the Thunder in seven games.

Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon early in Game 7 and is expected to miss the entire season.

Turner is averaging 10 points and seven rebounds per game for Milwaukee.