The Pacers’ annual FanJam is a fun, family-friendly event where the organization opens its doors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a free afternoon of action.
Fans could take a shot on the court that the team plays on, get autographs of the players, former players, broadcasters, Pacemates, and mascots, roam around The Fieldhouse to see its improvements … all before settling down to watch an hour of on-court activities.
C.J. Miles signs autographs with the help of his special friend.
An estimated 6,500 fans came through, about 15 percent fewer than in previous years. The Colts playing at Tennessee during that time frame, and a nice 73 degree likely had an impact.
“It’s great for the players, it’s great for the fans,” coach Nate McMillan said afterwards. “This is a great opportunity for our guys to connect with the fans, have some fans. And for the fans who, sometimes can’t see us during the season, they get that opportunity to watch us up live.”
Below is a breakdown of the games held on the court:
Scrimmage
Blue team: Jeff Teague, Monta Ellis, Paul George, Thad Young, Myles Turner, Jeremy Evans, Julyan Stone
Starters: Usual five.
White team: Aaron Brooks, Rodney Stuckey, Joe Young, Glenn Robinson III, Al Jefferson, Rakeem Christmas, Kevin Seraphin, Georges Niang, C.J. Miles
Starters: Joe Young, C.J. Miles, Glenn Robinson III, Lavoy Allen, Al Jefferson.
It was notable that both Miles and Brooks played considering both had a limited work activity over the last two weeks due to sore knees — left for Miles and right for Brooks. While neither were timid nor hesitated in their movements, they also clearly weren’t back to feeling great again. That will likely take at least a couple of weeks.
They played two 10-minute halves and, as you would expect, defense was optional. The White Team led 39-36 after the first half, and went on to win 67-58. (The second half mostly consisted of dunks, alley-oops, and long 3-point tries.
3-point Shooting Contest
Round 1
C.J. Miles 6, Joe Young 7
Georges Niang 9, Aaron Brooks 7
Round 2
Georges Niang 9, Joe Young 9
OT
Georges Niang 12, Joe Young 11
Tic Tac Toe
You’ve likely seen this game with giant Pacers logos played during a timeout at The Fieldhouse. Lavoy Allen and Jeremy Evans squared off, and Allen was victorious. (But he also ignored the rules, throwing one of Evans’ blocks away and replacing it with his own color to win the game.)
Fishing Challenge
Four players stood at one foul line. They each had to cast a line with a mini-ball on the end and get it to land (and stay) in a laundry basket.
Of the competitors — Glenn Robinson III, Al Jefferson, Monta Ellis, and Paul George — George came out on top. (Sitting in front of me at the scorer’s table, Ellis explained how he should have been declared the winner. He line went in the laundry basket twice, but it did not stay because there was no water inside.)
Skills Challenge
Four players were on each team, and each guy had to take care of one make. The group of four had to make a layup, free throw, 3-point shot, and half-court shot to win it. Turner, sporting a white headband, banked in a half-court shot to put his team over the top.
Team 1: Rakeem Christmas/Rodney Stuckey/Thad Young/Myles Turner
Team 2: Kevin Seraphin/Julyan Stone/Glenn Robinson III/Jeff Teague
Rookie Show
While the team scrimmage is the most interesting, the rookie dance/karaoke show is by far the most entertaining. Rookies and any new member to the basketball staff must put on a show for the crowd. We’ll call it rookie initiation.
“(pause) … I haven’t had a laugh in a long time,” said coach McMillan. “That was great. They put the pressure on those young guys out there to perform. I did not know they had a couple of the outfits that was brought in. Entertaining. [It was] entertaining. I enjoyed that.”
Georges Niang:
Andrei Mikhailau:
Tim Dather:
Jared Bartling:
Coach McMillan Afterwards
See Also: FanJam 2015 | 2014 |