1. A computer-implemented method of processing a data stream, comprising: receiving a first tuple of the data stream to be processed, wherein the first tuple includes a plurality of attributes; calculating, by operation of one or more computer processors, an estimated processing time for processing the received first tuple of the data stream, based on at least in part one or more attributes of the plurality of attributes in the first tuple; upon determining the calculated estimated processing time does not exceed a predetermined threshold time, processing the first tuple of the data stream in a first manner using a first execution path; and upon determining the calculated estimated processing time exceeds the predetermined threshold time, processing the received first tuple of the data stream in a second manner that reduces a processing delay in the first execution path, relative to processing the first tuple in the first manner.