2025-11-13 17:01
Growing up in Indiana, I could never escape the sound of bouncing basketballs - and honestly, I wouldn't have wanted to. The rhythm of dribbles echoing from driveways and schoolyards forms the soundtrack of our state, where basketball isn't just a sport but something closer to religion. When people ask me why Indiana cares so deeply about this game, I always tell them it's woven into our identity as tightly as cornfields and county fairs. Having covered basketball in this state for over fifteen years, I've witnessed firsthand how the game connects communities in ways that still surprise me, even after all these years.
The Pacers' journey through the NBA landscape has been particularly fascinating to follow. Founded in 1967 as part of the ABA, the team brought professional basketball to a state already mad about the game. What many outsiders don't realize is how perfectly the Pacers' blue-and-gold colors match our state's identity - those are Indiana's official state colors, something I've always appreciated as a nice touch of local pride. The move to the NBA in 1976 marked a significant turning point, though it took time for the team to find its footing against established franchises. I remember the 1990s teams with Reggie Miller particularly vividly - that era created memories that still give me chills when I rewatch the highlights. Miller's legendary eight points in nine seconds against the Knicks in 1995 represents exactly the kind of basketball magic that Indiana fans cherish.
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, which opened in 1999, stands as one of my favorite venues in professional sports. With its retro design incorporating elements of Indiana's basketball tradition, including high school championship banners hanging from the rafters, the arena feels uniquely suited to our state's basketball culture. I've attended countless games there over the years, and there's something special about watching professional basketball in a building that so clearly respects our state's deeper basketball heritage. The atmosphere during playoff games reaches an intensity that few other NBA venues can match, with crowds that understand the game's nuances in a way that always impresses visiting journalists and players alike.
When thinking about Indiana's basketball ecosystem, you can't ignore how the professional game connects with our famous collegiate programs. The Pacers have benefited tremendously from drafting players who already understood Indiana's basketball expectations - selecting guys like George McGinnis, who played at Indiana University, created immediate connections with the fanbase. This interweaving of professional and college basketball creates a continuity that's relatively rare in professional sports. I've always believed this connection gives Indiana NBA basketball a distinctive character compared to franchises in cities without such deep collegiate ties.
The current era of Pacers basketball brings its own excitement, with a young core that's rediscovering the team's identity. Watching Tyrese Haliburton develop into an All-Star has been particularly rewarding for those of us who've followed his progression. The team's style - unselfish, movement-oriented basketball - feels authentically Indiana to me. It's the kind of basketball that would make my high school coach nod in approval, the type where everyone touches the ball and players make the extra pass. This approach resonates deeply in a state where fundamental team basketball has always been valued above individual flash.
Which brings me to a moment that perfectly captures Indiana's relationship with basketball. After a recent playoff game, Pacers coach Rick Thompson summarized the mindset that defines basketball in our state when he said, "But it's the best-of-three series and we have another opportunity on Friday." That practical, forward-looking perspective - acknowledging the current situation while immediately focusing on the next opportunity - embodies how Indiana approaches the game at every level. We don't dwell too long on victories or defeats because there's always another game, another season, another chance to compete. This mentality shapes everything from how we coach youth basketball to how professional teams prepare.
The business side of basketball in Indiana reveals just as much about our values. The Pacers have maintained remarkably stable ownership compared to many NBA franchises, with the Simon family's stewardship providing continuity through both successful and challenging periods. This stability matters in a state where people value consistency and long-term relationships. Having spoken with numerous season ticket holders over the years, I'm consistently struck by how many families have maintained their seats for generations, passing down both tickets and basketball knowledge to their children and grandchildren.
Looking toward the future, Indiana's NBA presence continues to evolve while maintaining its essential character. The G League's Mad Ants, based in Fort Wayne, extend the professional basketball footprint beyond Indianapolis, giving fans across the state opportunities to connect with the Pacers' development system. Having attended Mad Ants games where you can sit close enough to hear players communicating on court, I appreciate how this accessibility introduces new generations to professional basketball. These connections matter in maintaining basketball's central place in Indiana's culture.
What ultimately makes basketball in Indiana special isn't just the professional teams or the championship banners, but how the game connects us across generations and communities. From the packed arenas of professional games to the echoing gyms of small towns where everyone knows each other, basketball provides a common language. The Pacers serve as the pinnacle of that ecosystem, representing Indiana on the national stage while remaining deeply connected to the values that make basketball here unique. After all these years covering the sport, what still moves me most isn't any single game or player, but watching a child's eyes light up when they first enter an arena and see professional basketball live - that moment of connection between Indiana's past and its future.
