Pat McAfee already needed to hear from Ben Stiller when his rousing speech throughout the NBA Japanese Convention Finals felt insulting to New York celebrities in attendance, and now he has to listen to from a giant title from Indiana: John Mellencamp. Regardless of McAfee hyping up the Indiana Pacers followers as they defeated the New York Knicks in Recreation 4 of the NBA playoffs, the Hoosier-born singer wasn’t a fan of the ESPN commentator’s habits.
The Indiana Pacers did not have many superstar supporters within the constructing throughout Recreation 4, so it is a disgrace that two of their greatest ones could also be at odds. In an announcement made two days after McAfee’s massive speech, Mellencamp launched the next on X:
The Knicks/Pacers video games have been very entertaining for anybody who likes basketball or sports activities. I attended Recreation 4 in Indianapolis. ‘Hoosier Hospitality’ …I used to be embarrassed when anyone, underneath whose course I don’t know, known as out a number of the individuals who had made the journey from New York to help their staff — and in flip, help our staff. The viewers booed these individuals. I’d say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One might solely say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship. I used to be not proud to be a Hoosier, and I’ve lived right here my total life. On behalf of most Hoosiers, I want to apologize for our poor habits. I’m certain the Pacers had nothing to do with this smackdown.
I am undecided if I am studying into it too deeply, however I’ve to suppose John Mellencamp utilizing the time period “smackdown” needed to be a rib at Pat McAfee being a WWE commentator. Little question, McAfee’s wrestling expertise led him to provide what was reportedly an impromptu speech that was not rehearsed forward of supply. It is value noting that as somebody residing in Indiana, I’ve seen many residents collectively confused by the singer’s situation with what appeared like a principally light-hearted diss to Timothée Chalamet and others.
Pat McAfee not often is quiet relating to criticism, so it was a given he wasn’t going to disregard John Mellencamp’s veiled criticism although it did not point out him by title. Whereas the ESPN commentator has been identified to drop a cryptic message on social media, he wasn’t afraid to let individuals on X know who the singer was speaking about on this scathing message:
I’m ‘anyone’
Again when there was some speak going backwards and forwards between Pat McAfee and Ben Stiller, I virtually suspected it was a delicate construct to some future upcoming WWE occasion we would see later this yr with a Peacock subscription. Now with John Mellencamp within the combine, I am assuming there have been precise harm emotions about McAfee calling out celebrities on the occasion.
It is simply one other chapter within the storied rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. Each groups have met many occasions over time within the playoffs, with loads of storylines between gamers and celebrities alike. It is uncommon two individuals supporting the identical staff converse out towards one another, although, which is what makes it so weird.
Because the NBA playoffs proceed on, make sure to try the 2025 TV schedule to see what else is coming to tv this summer time. I do know there are some summer time exhibits I am unable to wait to get into as soon as basketball is over, particularly on the streaming facet. Beginning 5 is coming from Netflix and with Tyrese Haliburton from the Pacers on the record of individuals lined, it must be an important season in the event that they make the NBA finals.