Originally, Pat McAfee had criticism from Ben Stiller over his passionate speech during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals that offended some New York celebrities. Now, he is receiving feedback from another prominent figure from Indiana: John Mellencamp. Despite McAfee’s enthusiasm in rallying Indiana Pacers fans after their victory against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA playoffs, this Hoosier-born musician wasn’t pleased with ESPN commentator’s actions.
The Indiana Pacers didn’t have many famous fans attending Game 4, which is unfortunate as two of their most prominent supporters might be in conflict. In a statement issued two days after McAfee’s impassioned speech, Mellencamp released the following message on social media:
[Original]
The Indiana Pacers didn’t have many celebrity supporters in the building during Game 4, so it’s a shame that two of their biggest ones may be at odds. In a statement made two days after McAfee’s big speech, Mellencamp released the following on X:
The Knicks/Pacers games have been quite thrilling for anyone who enjoys basketball or sports. I was at Game 4 in Indianapolis. However, I was mortified when some spectators, whose supervision is unclear to me, criticized those who had traveled from New York to cheer on their team – and by extension, our team. The crowd responded with boos. In my opinion, that wasn’t the warm Hoosier Hospitality we are known for. One could only describe it as disgraceful sportsmanship. I was ashamed to call myself a Hoosier, having lived here all my life. On behalf of many Hoosiers, I would like to extend an apology for this unacceptable behavior. I’m confident the Pacers had no involvement in this unfortunate incident.
As a movie-goer and an Hoosier at heart, I can’t help but suspect John Mellencamp’s use of the term “smackdown” was a playful jab at Pat McAfee, given his background as a WWE commentator. It’s intriguing to note that McAfee apparently delivered an off-the-cuff speech without prior rehearsal, leaving many Hoosiers, including myself, somewhat bewildered by Mellencamp’s apparent displeasure with what appeared to be a mostly good-natured dig at Timothée Chalamet and others.
Pat McAfee seldom keeps silent when it comes to criticism, so it wasn’t surprising that he chose not to overlook John Mellencamp’s subtle jabs, despite the fact that his name wasn’t explicitly mentioned. Although the ESPN commentator has a knack for posting cryptic messages on social media, he didn’t hesitate to clarify to those on X who the singer was referring to in this harsh critique: John Mellencamp was talking about him.
I am ‘somebody’
Previously, discussions between Pat McAfee and Ben Stiller had me thinking they might be hinting at a future WWE event, possibly airing on Peacock later this year. With John Mellencamp joining the conversation, I suspect there may have been genuine offenses caused by McAfee’s criticism of celebrities at that event.
Following Charles Barkley’s doubt about the future of Inside the NBA on ESPN, the network’s president has now shared his thoughts.
This ongoing feud between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks is simply another installment in their long-standing history of competition. They’ve faced off numerous times during playoffs over the years, creating a multitude of captivating narratives involving players and celebrities. What makes it peculiar is that fans of either team rarely take sides against each other, but this time around, things are different.
As the NBA playoffs carry on, remember to look up the 2025 TV guide for what more television has in store during summertime. I’m really looking forward to several shows that will air once basketball wraps up, especially those streaming platforms. The upcoming series, Starting Five, is one I’m particularly excited about – it’s being produced by Netflix and includes Tyrese Haliburton from the Pacers among its subjects. If they manage to make it to the NBA finals, this season should be fantastic!
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2025-05-30 15:08