A huge and energetic crowd of 7,500 fans came out to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon for the annual Pacers FanJam presented by CNO Financial Group. The entry pavilion was packed with fans by 3:00 p.m., even though the doors didn't open for another hour.
Once fans were allowed in, they could choose from a cornucopia of activities. Some waited in line to get autographs from the Pacers radio and television broadcast personalities. Others posed for pictures with members of the Pacemates. Many made their way down to the main court to shoot a free throw.
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After the first hour, fans took their seats, filling the entire lower bowl and club level, to meet the 2014 Indiana Pacers. FOX Sports Indiana play-by-play announcer Chris Denari introduced the coaching staff and players to the crowd (video below)
The players were split up into two teams for a short scrimmage featuring two six-minute halves. All players took part in the scrimmage except for Paul George, out with a broken leg, and C.J. Watson, who had a sore foot.
Ian Mahinmi, recovering from a shoulder injury suffered while preparing for the FIBA World Cup in August, looked good early, exploding for a two-handed dunk that brought the crowd to its feet. David West also had a dunk for the Blue team, but it was the White squad that led 8-4 at the half, thanks to a driving layup from C.J. Miles shortly before the buzzer.
After a halftime perfomance by the Indiana Pacemates, the teams returned for the second half. The Blue squad took the lead on a 3-pointer by Chris Copeland, but the White squad took it right back when newcomer Damjan Rudez connected from beyond the arc on the other end. A few minutes later, the Blue squad seized control again on Solomon Hill's 3-pointer from the left corner and held on to win, 19-13.
Next, Pacers mascot Boomer entertained the crowd with a trampoline dunk show before Denari was joined by Paul George, who helped emcee the games portion of the program. Below are recaps of the various events.
3-Point Contest
George Hill had dominated this contest in years past, but he met a worthy challenger this year: Chris Copeland.
Hill advanced to the finals by beating Miles, 19-14. Copeland dispatched of Rudez, 17-13.
Both players upped their games in the finals. Hill made 21 3-pointers in one minute, normally a figure that would easily take the crown. But Copeland was even hotter from beyond the arc, sinking 23 shots to dethrone the defending champion (video of Copeland's final-round performance below).
Tic Tac Toe
This new game pitted veterans Rodney Stuckey and Ian Mahinmi against youngsters Adonis Thomas and Shayne Whittington. Players had to make a layup and then race to midcourt to put their team's cardboard piece on a spot on a giant tic-tac-toe board.
Thomas and Whittington prevailed when Stuckey tumbled while trying to pick up his team's piece.
Sumo Race
Lavoy Allen and Solomon Hill went head-to-head in the always popular sumo race. The start of the race was delayed as Allen had trouble fitting into his sumo costume, which was a little too small for the 6-foot-9 forward.
This gave Hill a distinct advantage, and he cruised to an easy victory (video below).
Skills Challenge
Two four-player teams took part in this competition, which required players to take turns making a layup, free throw, 3-pointer, and half-court shot in succession.
George Hill hit a halfcourt shot to give Team Blue the victory. His teammates were Rodney Stuckey, David West, and Damjan Rudez.
Knockout
Every player on the roster took part in this playground game. The final five players remaining were Roy Hibbert, Rudez, Solomon Hill, Miles, and George Hill.
Miles bowed out first, then Rudez, leaving the two Hills and Hibbert. Hibbert drained a 3-pointer to eliminate George Hill, then hit several more in a row. But Solomon Hill was even hotter and eventually came away with the win (video below).
Rookie Show
One of the highlights of every FanJam is the Rookie Show. Each of this year's three rookies were called out to center court to sing and dance to a Top-40 hit.
Whittington went first, performing an admirable rendition of "Latch" by Disclosure (video below).
Rudez followed with a phenomenal performance of "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea that drew loud cheers from the crowd and plenty of laughter from his teammates (video below).
The closing act, C.J. Fair, struggled with Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off," drawing a few mock boos from his teammates when he couldn't remember the words.
After the Rookie Show, the players headed to different corners of the arena, where they signed autographs for fans over the final hour of FanJam.