INDIANAPOLIS – There is a helter-skelter magnificence to Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. And it’s that style of play that reminds famed comedian/actor Mike Epps, a renowned Pacers fan, of himself on the stage.
“Haliburton is an unpredictable player,” Epps told Andscape in a recent phone interview. “And that’s what I love about him, because you don’t know really what you’re going to get. And that’s how he gives it to you. You can’t really predict what he’s going to do and how he’s going to do it. But he gets it done and that’s what I like about him. Some players, you just about to pinpoint ’em out, but this guy here, is unpredictable and brilliant when it comes to playing basketball.
“No question, without a doubt, he reminds me of myself. That’s why I can relate to him because it’s Avant-garde (uncharacteristic approach). And it might not be pretty, but it gets the job done.”
Epps is best known for his standup comedy and his roles in films such as “Next Friday,” “Friday After Next,” “The Hangover” franchise and starring in the sitcom “The Upshaws.” The Indianapolis native also proudly represents his hometown and has been a huge Pacers fan since Billy Knight was playing there from 1979-1983. Epps’ Pacers, in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000, are playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder with the series tied 1-1 entering Game 3 on Wednesday in Indianapolis (ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET).
Epps is the Pacers’ biggest celebrity fan and plans to attend NBA Finals games in Indianapolis and possibly Oklahoma City. The following is a Q&A with Epps.
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What does Indianapolis as a city mean to you and how did it make you the person you are today?
Indianapolis is a small town, small market. But man, some of the best things coming out of that city, man. I was born and raised there. My mom was born and raised there. We just love our town. My wife is from Chicago. But we love [Indianapolis], man. And I love it because it’s small. I always felt good about bragging on it because I didn’t have to share it with nobody.
What is your earliest recollection of following the Pacers?
I’ve been a Pacer fan since as long as I can remember, man. You grow up in the city and Indianapolis is a basketball town. So, I was a Pacer fan, probably when I was 7, 8 years old. I used to go to a place called Market Square Arena, where they used to play. And man, I was a Pacer fan before Reggie [Miller] was there going all the way back to the Billy Knight days, man.
How would you describe being a Pacers fan? You haven’t had an NBA championship in your lifetime, but you can potentially earn one in this NBA Finals.
Well, when you are a fan, you’re a diehard fan, man. You have a lot of ups and downs, man. I had times where I was like, ‘Oh man, why am I a Pacer fan?’ But when you love a franchise and it’s your hometown, you can’t find yourself really rooting for nobody else. You want to at moments because there is never no hope. But that’s what diehard means.
Who’s your favorite Pacers player of all time and why?
My favorite Pacers player of all time has got to be Reggie Miller. Man. Reggie Miller was such a clutch player. And when you say Indiana Pacers, that’s who you think of. Reggie Miller, man. He put us on the map.
What did you think about the suspension that Haliburton’s dad had after a postgame confrontation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round?
I love it. I love that his father loves his son like that. It is a tribute to what he is on the court. If it probably wasn’t for Haliburton’s dad, he wouldn’t have that killer in him that he got. He don’t back down.
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I know you have a friendship with Pacers forward Myles Turner. Do you have any relationships with other Pacers?
I am cool with all of them, but I kind of keep it casual. I really leave it on the court. But when I see the guy, it’s always an automatic bond because they know I’m from Indiana and that’s my team, man. And I’ve been rooting for him. It ain’t no celebrities at Pacer games like me. I’m a true celebrity Pacer fan.
What do you remember about attending the only NBA Finals in Pacers history when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000?
That s— was electrifying like this year’s Finals. It’s always electrifying. It’s always good to be in that atmosphere.
The 2004-05 Pacers appeared to have the talent to win an NBA championship, but the season was derailed by suspensions and drama from “The Malice in the Palace.” But what did you think about ‘The Malice in the Palace?” Do you feel the same way about that team?
Stephen Jackson and [Ron] Artest were a magical team, man. Unfortunately, that happened. But Indiana is a tough team, man. You can put us in a category with the [Detroit] Pistons and New York and everybody else because we get down. I love that they had that bucking, but I hate that it went that bad. But it just shows that we get down when it’s time to get down.
Could you even imagine what a party in downtown Indianapolis would be like if the Pacers won the NBA championship?
It’s live. It’s going to be crazy. It’s going to be mayhem. It’s going to be like how it was when the Chicago [Bulls] won for the first time.
I assume you think the Pacers are going to win their first championship, but can you tell me why?
I’m going to tell you like this: We already won to even get this far, I’m going to say we won and we are playing with the house’s money right now. How about that? We playing with the house’s money.