It’s not very often that the results match or exceed the hype. But that’s been the case for the Indiana Pacers and their 90s Flo-Jos uniforms.
In late January, we told you the Flo-Jos, the uniforms worn by the team from 1990-97, were coming back — for a half-dozen games. Word spread fast and because of the tenor of Indiana’s season, it easily became the most popular story outside of tracking Paul George’s recovery.
David West modeling the Flo-Jos. (Photo: Pacers Sports & Entertainment)
The results are fascinating.
With a 104-99 win over Dallas on Sunday night, the Pacers are 5-0 in these Hardwood Classics. Other impressive victories have come over Golden State and Cleveland. They’ve topped the century mark in four of the five games, averaged almost 107 points per game, and had their highest-scoring game of the season — 118 points on Mar. 10 vs. Orlando — in the Flo-Jos, named for designer Florence Griffith-Joyner.
They are scheduled to take the court in them just one more time this season, April 8th at New York.
“We’re wearing them every game the rest of the way,” coach Frank Vogel joked when informed they are a perfect 5-0 in the throwbacks.
Pacers guard George Hill is all for continuing to wear them.
“If that’s what’s going to help, we might as well,” he said with a grin.
The Pacers, like the fans, have surely grown tired of their current style, which was adapted after the Reggie Miller era in 2005. And recently, they have seemingly abandoned the home whites.
Since Feb. 6, they have worn their standard white uniforms at home just once (Mar. 21 in a loss to Brooklyn) compared with the golds (8x) and the Flo-Jos (5x).
I’ve talked to nearly every guy in the locker room and they all like the Flo-Jos because they’ve got a uniqueness to them, a little flavor. I know George Hill and Paul George have pushed for a new uniform for a few years, but it’s a complex process. Once a design is settled on, the manufacturer — adidas, through the 2016-17 season — needs about 18 months lead time to get it done.
This is a results business, and the Pacers have got it done the last two months in the Flo-Jos.