Pacers elevated NBA All-Star Weekend with the addition of an opening ceremony
Like with the Super Bowl Village in 2012, Indianapolis set a new standard as host of NBA All-Star Weekend by holding a first-ever tip-off celebration.
Tickets sold out in minutes. Excitement was built. Imaginations ran wild. And about 5,000 fans were able to tip-off NBA All-Star Weekend in a memorable fashion.
The Pacers elected to host the first party in a long weekend filled with them — and they invited the public to this free event. However, there was a limit on the attendance due to space constraints.
I know Indy’s All-Star Weekend is behind us, but there were too many events and good stories not to continue on with more coverage. In the week leading up to the special weekend, which was seven years in the making, I began filling my calendar. I wanted to make it to all the NBA main events, media availabilities — and then as much of everything else as I could.
Turns out, the first night was the most memorable to me because the Pacers, as an organization, put on a show when they went all out for an opening ceremony, something that has never been part of the NBA’s marquee weekend.
It included locals, Hall of Famers, Pacers legends, the current face of the franchise, an IndyCar, a popular hip-hop artist and a magnificent fireworks display.
“The Pacers and the Simon family have done an incredible job of rallying all of the fans across Indiana,” said Kelly Flatow, NBA’s executive VP of global events. “… I do think that they not only will set a new standard with the tip-off ceremony, but they’re gonna set a new standard for NBA All-Star.”
The hour-long event got started shortly after 6 p.m. And it all went down at Bicentennial Unity Plaza, which opened in the fall just outside of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. If Indy had hosted in 2021, as planned, this event would have looked entirely different because back then, the space was a parking garage.
Now there’s this community space, along with Simon’s newly-opened Commission Row, for all to enjoy.
The event was emceed by Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings, along with actor and comedian Mike Epps, an Indy native. After introductions, several videos were shown. First, a special feature on Hoosiers’ love for hoops and culture, then messages from the governor and mayor.
You can watch full highlights from the event in the video below:
Next, Pacers owner Herb Simon and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver went on stage.
“This is a great day for the Pacers, for the city of Indianapolis, the state of Indiana,” said Simon, who prefers to remain in the background. “We are so proud of what’s going to happen the next few days.”
Added Silver: “Thank you all for being here. This is the greatest community. You guys couldn’t be more supportive.”
🏅 Statue For The Big O
While on stage, Silver had a surprise announcement in store. And because it was late Thursday, just prior to a newsy All-Star weekend, I want to make sure that this important news didn’t get buried in the craziness of the weekend.
“There is no one who better embodies that spirit of Indiana basketball than Hall of Famer and Indianapolis native Oscar Robertson,” Silver said, which led to the crowd roaring as Robertson joined them on stage.
“Before Oscar starred in the NBA, he was, of course, well known for winning championships at Crispus Attucks High School. Less than three miles from here, Oscar led them to two state titles — the first all-black team to win a high school championship in any state.
“Oscar has led the way in breaking down barriers.”
And then Silver announced that the NBA and Pacers had teamed up to commission a statue of Robertson that will be displayed outside Crispus Attucks High School “in recognition of his extraordinary impact on the game and this city.”
Robertson, who doesn’t look a bit of 85 years old, was honored again on Sunday during a timeout at the All-Star game.
🏎️ Haliburton Arrives in IndyCar
When Indianapolis and its sports leaders put their minds to something, they’re going to deliver. Like in 2017, when they received a lot of attention when Larry Bird arrived at the NBA’s Fifth Avenue headquarters in Manhattan in style.
In an IndyCar.
To deliver Indy’s All-Star bid.
I remember because I’ve been covering the team long before that, and because it quietly served as Bird’s last act as team president. This was on April 24; he stepped down from his role on May 1.
So it all came full circle when Tyrese Haliburton was a surprise guest at this tip-off celebration. He arrived in the back of an IndyCar two-seater driven by Noblesville, Ind. native Conor Daly.
They went about four blocks, from Monument Circle to the plaza.
“It was fun,” Haliburton said. “It was quick, I wish we were in there longer.”
Back on stage minutes later, Catchings said, “From one legend to a legend in the making, we honor you.”
Bird shook hands with Haliburton, then handed him a special All-Star basketball. The Pacers crowd then chanted “MVP.”
Haliburton turns 24 on Feb. 29 and his max contract, the largest deal in the history of the franchise, doesn’t begin until July 1. But this was an incredible moment for Haliburton to experience with faithful fans.
📣 Welcome Back, Pacers Alums
A half hour into the special event, Chris Denari and Quinn Buckner of Bally Sports Indiana took the stage for special introductions. The team hosted an alumni event next door at Commission Row. And from there, 13 former players (plus Haliburton) were introduced.
Travis Best
Al Harrington
Roy Hibbert
Darnell Hillman
Fred Jones
Billy Knight
Freddie Lewis
Derrick McKey
Brad Miller
Bob Netolicky
Jermaine O’Neal
Metta World Peace (Ron Crest)
Rik Smits
Great job by Karen Atkeson and her player relations department. This was a big hit and I think you at home will enjoy it just as much as those in the crowd.
🎵 The crowd went wild as T-Pain took over and sang parts of more than a dozen songs. Hit after hit. You know them because they’re frequently played at games.
And to close it out, fireworks were fired up into the sky just south of where we all stood. I have no idea how they did so safely, right in the heart of downtown, but it was a fantastic way to celebrate the event and mark the official start of Indy’s showcase.
Many fans then made the short walk west to the Indiana Convention Center, where the TNT crew hosted their Road Show. Reggie Miller discussed his love for the local crowd and the Pacers at several opportunities on air.
Later, DJ Diesel (Shaq) and MGK (Machine Gun Kelly) performed.
“Our goal this whole time was to create the most fan-first All-Star game,” said Joey Graziano, the NBA’s SVP head of global event strategy and development. “So part of that was to create new ticketed opportunities, things like changing All-Star Saturday night into Lucas Oil (and the tip-off party).
“So it’s how do you create as many new opportunities as possible and we knew with the Pacers’ creativity that they’d be able to deliver a really special one.”
Incredible recap. Thank you so much