Pacers forward C.J. Miles may spending the All-Star break in Cancun — where he got engaged two years ago — but he was also part of NBA All-Star Weekend 2017 in New Orleans.
TNT aired a talent show highlighting eight players’ talents away from the court. The two-minute packages were recorded, and then the Inside the NBA crew judged each act live on their set in New Orleans.
We already knew Miles could rap. He shared an album, “No Camping,” on SoundCloud several years ago for anyone to enjoy.
“I’ve been into music since I was kid, singing in choirs growing up,” Miles told VigilantSports.com in 2014, his first year with the Pacers. “I always wrote as a kid. I learned how to play the piano in middle school. I went through all of that and was about all of that.”
When Miles wants to clear his mind during what can be a chaotic 82-game NBA season, he leans on his wife, Lauren, and music as his outlet.
“That’s where I go,” he said, grinning. “That’s the thing I like to do.”
Miles recorded his talent challenge entry at Howl at the Moon off Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis.
CJ Miles hit the keys for the NBA Talent Challenge #MILESTALENT ? pic.twitter.com/vgmofQPAEV
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 18, 2017
Other players featured on the Talent Show: Chris Bosh, Devin Booker, Luc Mbah a Moute, Victor Oladipo, Metta World Peace, Iman Shumpert, and Lou Williams.
Here’s Metta World Peace, the ex-Pacer formerly known at Ron Artest, rapping:
Queensbridge is in the building! @MettaWorldPeace honoring the Black Mamba with his track, "2K Kobe" #WORLDPEACETALENT pic.twitter.com/NwsoHdTVv6
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 18, 2017
And IU product Victor Oladipo, now with the Oklahoma City Thunder, singing “I Believe I Can Fly” for the national audience:
.@VicOladipo was soaring high with his take on @rkelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" #OLADIPOTALENT pic.twitter.com/wtjkawXCsB
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 18, 2017
With 35 percent of the vote, Oladipo was the winner of the Talent Challenge. Devin Booker finished in second, followed by Iman Shumpert. Miles placed six out of eight.
The results are in… #OLADIPOTALENT wins the NBA Talent Challenge with 35% of the votes! pic.twitter.com/s1B9lgrcB4
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 19, 2017