Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Studicus Selects 2025

Once, long ago, I posted on the internet as Studicus, an in-joke nickname related to a skit from high school. When I first started blogging, I called my year-end entries "Studicus Selects." The tradition has continued since 2005...although I skipped 2006 for some unknown reason. 

You'll find past entries here (scroll down for the 2025 picks):


Best Howard, Rest in Peace Category. The lowest point of the year hit in August, when our beloved dog Howard suffered respiratory failure. We said goodbye to him on August 11, 2025, in what was the hardest day of the year. That little guy brought so much joy to our lives since we adopted him in 2019. He helped us get through the pandemic and was a constant source of amusement. He was so, so loved. I wrote a tribute/obituary for him about a week after he passed. You can read it here (there are lots of pictures).

Howard chills outside in June 2020 during the great pandemic

Best Worst Decision, Louis Category. After Howard passed, Anne and I were despondent. We figured we'd get another dog at some point, however, we resolved to wait until after the holidays. We didn't want to worry about boarding a dog during Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's. But in November, I saw an ad from a rescue in Kokomo for a Chihuahua-pug mix named Louis (pronounced and spelled alternatively as "Louie") and forwarded it to Anne. He was very cute and looked very sweet and we decided to meet him. As it turns out, he was very cute and sweet and we brought him home. Louie's presence has lifted our spirits in a way we really needed. Louie's a lot different from Howard. He takes short walks, can be left at home by himself (Howard's anxiety meant he needed daycare in his last two years), and is generally more timid than Howard. He's a different dog with a different personality who deserved a good home and, we hope, found one with us. We adopted Lou on November 20. He already has too many nicknames--including his full name, Louis Arthur Wellington Adams, Duke of Quail Run.

We affectionately refer to him as a "little potato with legs"

Louie's first favorite spot was a dog bed near the fireplace, but he's pretty much all-in on the couch

We put a dog sofa on the couch; he takes lots of naps there

If you haven't noticed, his default position is sleeping

He warmed up to Anne first, but he's trusting me more with each passing day

You'll notice he's wearing a collar, something Howard absolutely hated doing

This was his first night home with us; you can tell he's a little apprehensive

Best Willy, Northern Map Turtle Category. We have a repeat winner in Willy, our beloved northern map turtle. For the most part, Willy's had a pretty chill year, swimming around her tank and taking in some rays from her basking spot. We get her out for walkabouts. Howard tended to get all up in her business when she was out while Louie isn't sure what to think of her. Willy did try to jump out of her tank in late summer, leading us to think maybe she had some eggs late. However, scans showed she wasn't eggbound, so maybe she was just bored. She remains a crucial part of the household and a constant source of entertainment, like her brothers.

Willy in her basking spot

Willy on one of her adventures outside the tank

A nice shot of Willy in her tank

For once, she doesn't look too put off by having her picture taken

She climbed from the ramp to my foot, a sturdy foothold if there ever was one

Best Car Purchase, Used Vehicle Category. Anne's 2014 Kia Forte was getting pretty long in the tooth, and she wanted something that sat up a little higher. After looking at a few different models from a few different companies, she decided on a Mazda CX-30. We ended up buying a used one from Enterprise Car Sales (it used to be a rental car) for a good price. We didn't have to haggle over the price and it was a painless transaction. The car drives well and we haven't had any problems so far. Since it has all-wheel drive, it's been nice for Anne to have in the winter months. We weren't convinced the Kia was going to make it through another winter season.

We closed the deal on the new car in May

Biggest Heartbreak, Sports Category. It seems a lifetime ago that the Indiana Pacers, who currently hold the worst record in the NBA, made it to the NBA Finals and pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games. Each round of the playoffs included some improbable comeback that culminated in a clutch shot from Tyrese Haliburton. I dubbed these "The Four Miracles of Indiana" (you can read my take here). Unfortunately, it ended in heartbreak when Haliburton, struggling with a calf injury, tore his Achilles in the first quarter of Game Seven. I loved the run and the team, and I'll never forget how great of a ride it was.

Best Trip, Brown County Music Center Category. In October, Anne and I headed to Brown County to see Celtic Thunder, an Irish singing group. I expected them to perform a bunch of traditional Irish songs, and while they did indeed perform a few, their bread and butter seemed to be arrangements of pop music. Like, I didn't expect to hear Sting's "Fields of Gold" or "Now We Are Free" from Gladiator, but those were just a couple of the selections. My favorite part was downloading a YouTube Music playlist of Celtic Thunder songs to listen to on the way there and back. The venue, by the way, is very nice and I definitely want to go back.

Movies Year in Review. As I've done in recent years, I'll split my list of entertainment stuff into two sections: movies we saw at the theater and stuff we watched via streaming. Let's start with the movies first. As usual, there may be some spoilers.

Captain America: Brave New World. This certainly wasn't peak MCU, and I didn't expect it to pick up a bunch of plot threads from Edward Norton's The Incredible Hulk movie from 2008, but some of the action sequences were good and I like Anthony Mackie, so I'd give it a rewatch. It's still my least favorite MCU movie of the year.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps. I'm a sucker for sci-fi with a retrofuturistic vibe, and Fantastic Four scratched that itch. I loved all the leads and was glad to see someone finally do something right with Galactus in live action (he wasn't a giant cloud this time!). I could've used more of The Thing, I think, but Marvel's first family had great chemistry and the movie hinged on a terrific space chase sequence and a very big ending.

Thunderbolts*. Hands down my favorite MCU movie of the year, this was kind of a Suicide Squad-ish take on the cinematic universe. It ended up serving as a sequel of sorts to Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Ant-Man & The Wasp, and The Avengers while also introducing a mega-powered hero played by Bill Pullman's son. Elaine Benes schemed a lot. The characters all went through some stuff. It's really great.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Henry Czerny is back to smarm as smarmily as anyone's every smarmed. This is the second part of Dead Reckoning, back when it was called Dead Reckoning Part One. Big stunts, high stakes, vengeful AIs, sacrifices, and Tom Cruise trying to kill himself? Check, check, check, check, and check.

Superman. The first movie of James Gunn's revamped DC superhero media universe had a simple but intimidating task: make a Superman movie starring a Superman that most people like. I think he succeeded with a pretty gonzo entry that pretty much throws the audience into the deep end. The world is already populated with superheroes (including a Green Lantern!), we've got interdimensional portals, a weird elemental man, and even a doggone kaiju! A great cast pulls it off, with Mr. Terrific being a real standout for me.

Jurassic World: Rebirth. Dinosaurs. Another island. Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali are there. It's okay.

The Naked Gun. I'm convinced Liam Neeson is the only guy who could've pulled this off, giving a committed deadpan performance as the son of Leslie Nielsen's goofball cop Frank Drebin. A constant barrage of puns and visual gags make this imminently rewatchable. Anne can tell you I'm obsessed with this exchange:

Drebin: I wasn't thinking clearly. I was furious about the Janet Jackson Super Bowl.

The Chief: That was 20 years ago.

Drebin: Not to me.

F1 The Movie. To my surprise, this may be my favorite movie of the year. It's as formulaic as a formulaic sports movie gets, but Brad Pitt is great, the movie looks fantastic, and the score rocks. Seriously, I saw it twice in the theaters and rewatched it four times after getting the Blu-ray. I've used the score as writing music. 

Tron: Ares. A Tron movie comes to theaters and bombs. Anyone surprised? It had some great visuals and a fantastic score, and I somehow didn't hate Jared Leto in this one. Still, I'm not sure that's enough to recommend it and fans of Tron: Legacy will be (rightfully) upset that the movie didn't pick up any of the dangling plot threads from its predecessor.

Nuremberg. A dramatization of the war crimes trial focused on Hermann Göring, this one includes terrific performances from Russell Crowe and Rami Malek. It's a potent reminder of the evil men can do and the lengths we must go to in order to make sure it doesn't happen again.

The Conjuring: Last Rites. They keep making these. The most notable thing about this one is that Anne and I saw it at a drive-in theater and modern cars simply don't like to have their radios switched on for long periods of time to listen to movie audio.

Anaconda. Jack Black, Paul Rudd, and Steve Zahn join Thandiwe Newton as high school friends who decide to remake the seminal 1997 schlock-fest Anaconda. The movie couldn't quite live up to the premise even though there were some enjoyable parts and a couple of laugh-out-loud moments. I will give it props for including a couple of big-time cameos.

Avatar: Fire and Ash. The Na'vi are back for another go-round on Pandora. I don't have great affection for the other Avatar movies, but I also don't hate them with the passion of a thousand suns. They remain visually breathtaking with a story that is both simple and ethereal. For me, the villains were the highlight of the movie, especially (as Anne called her) "The Crazy Fire Lady." Stephen Lang's resurrected Quaritch gets most of the movie's best lines.

Streaming Year in Review. Here's a look at some of the things we watched at home.

A House of Dynamite. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this potboiler follows the response to a nuclear weapons launch from multiple perspectives. It's tense and well-crafted. You'll either love or hate the ending.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Detective Inspector Foghorn Leghorn returns to solve another unsolvable murder mystery involving a stacked cast. For me, the real standout is Josh O'Connor as a priest in crisis. Daniel Craig is excellent, of course, although he doesn't appear until about 50 minutes into the movie.

One Battle After Another. Paul Thomas Anderson's powerful film follows a former revolutionary who basically becomes a stoner before some of the forces he fought against come back to haunt him and his daughter years later. He must rekindle his revolutionary fire to save his daughter from a corrupt, vengeful commander. Tremendous performances from Leonard DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benecio del Toro, and newcomer Chase Infiniti highlight the film.

Alien: Earth. In many ways, this one plays the hits from the Alien franchise. In others, it's completely different. I looked forward to new episodes every week. Of course, the real star of the show was Trypanohyncha ocellus (you know, Species 64--the eyeball octopus).

Andor, Season 2. Is this the best thing Star Wars has ever given us? It's certainly the most mature spinoff the franchise has ever offered. As a standalone show, I'd put it up there with any prestige drama from the last decade. Memorable characters, tremendous plotting, political intrigue, and gorgeous set design make for an unforgettable leadup to Rogue One.

Sinners. Vampires and music. It's interesting, but not really my thing. It looks gorgeous and features some great performances, costumes, and set designs. A lot of people like this movie more than I do.

Frankenstein. Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of the classic novel diverges considerably in some respects while also hewing very close to the source material in others. While it definitely has some "gooey" moments, the movie felt stripped of any true gothic horror. It looks great, though.

Mickey 17. Robert Pattinson plays a laborer who gets cloned every time he dies. As a member of a dangerous space expedition, he dies a lot. When two of his clones end up existing simultaneously, hijinks ensue. The class commentary is on the nose, but Mark Ruffalo is a hoot.

The Pitt. This one follows a Pittsburgh ER over a 15-hour shift. It's great. Noah Wyle returns to his ER roots by playing an emergency room surgeon packing some major emotional baggage. I think it's one of the best shows of the year.

Death by Lightning. This limited series from Netflix is based on the book Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard. It tells the story of James Garfield's accidental presidency and the assassin/madman who cut his term short. The worst of it? An assassin's bullet didn't kill Garfield--his doctors did by failing to adhere to the "newfangled" concept of sterilizing instruments and keeping a patient's wounds clean. I liked the show so much, I ended up reading the book.

John Candy: I Like Me. John Candy was too good for this world, a generous man with a big heart who only wanted to make people laugh. This documentary presents Candy as a fully-formed person. Does it mythologize him a bit? Perhaps. But for an actor and comedian so iconic to generations of fans, that's okay.

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth. Colin Firth plays a father desperate to understand the failings that led to the bombing of a commercial flight over the idyllic Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 243 people and 16 crewmembers. His daughter was among those who died. The miniseries traces the investigation and the twisting path of priorities that led to "justice" for the victims and their families.

Chad Powers. Probably one of the stupidest shows of the year. With Glen Powell and Steve Zahn at the center of it, that's not necessarily a bad thing. The sports dramedy follows a college football burnout who reinvents himself with a questionable accent and equally questionable prosthetic nose as he leads a sad-sack college team to glory.

Predator: Killer of Killers. This animated movie set in the Predator universe is a connected anthology following warriors from three different eras who run afoul of the universe's most fearsome hunter. Some good atmosphere and likeable characters make it an enjoyable watch.

Stranger Things. The final season is here (we'll know soon if they stick the landing!). Packed with fun sci-fi and fantasy tropes, '80s nostalgia, and beloved characters, the Spielbergian vibe is strong with this show. After the first volume of season five came out, Anne and I rewatched the entire series. Let's just say the kids grew up fast, okay? It really is a great show.

Daredevil: Born Again. Is it a new series, a continuation of the old Netflix one, or a multiversal hybrid? Honestly, I'm not really sure. However, I'm thrilled to see Charlie Cox back as Matt Murdock/Daredevil and Vincent D'Onofrio back as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin. It doesn't quite reach the heights of Netflix's first and third seasons, but it's still pretty darn good.

Ironheart. This MCU show was better than I expected. Still not top-tier Marvel (it can't touch Daredevil, for example). At least fans finally got to see Mephisto.

Peacemaker, Season 2. Man, what a blast. John Cena is fantastic in the role and has a wonderful supporting cast. The show serves as a bridge between the old DCEU and the new DCU. The fact that the main character was completely oblivious to this season's big twist was hilarious. Can't wait to see what's next.

The American Revolution. Since it's a Ken Burns historical documentary, it's good by default. We should probably finish it.
By at

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Howard: The Tribute (2012-2025)


Howard Winchell Adams, marquess of Quail Run, first of his name and lover of treats, walks, and tummy rubs, died unexpectedly but peacefully on August 11, 2025, surrounded by his adoring parents. 

He was preceded in death by his brother, Leonard Attenborough Adams, viscount of Quail Run (a leopard gecko), and Prince Michael Adams, king of hop (an African water frog). He leaves behind his loving sister, Wilamena Windsor Adams, duchess of Quail Run (a northern map turtle).

Howard in January 2022

His parents believe Howard was born in 2012, making him 13 years old in 2025. They adopted him in June 2019 from the Animal Protection League in Anderson, Indiana. He made Indianapolis, Indiana, his home from 2019 until his death in 2025 from complications brought on by a collapsing trachea.

Howard leaves behind an enduring legacy of love and Greenies, many of which are hidden throughout the home in various places and are still being discovered buried in various nooks and crannies ranging from the couch to his unofficial second residence in the guest room daybed.

This was our introduction to Howard from the Anderson Animal Protection League in June 2019

The Chihuahua dachshund mix, known colloquially as a “Chiweenie” or “Mexican hot dog,” went by many names. A sampling: Howie, the Howitzer, Pupperoo, Pupper, Captain Wiggle-Butt, Spicy Little Chorizo, Howie-kins, Pumpkin Butt, Little Buddy, and Stinky Boy. 

Howard with Anne and me in Anderson on June 29, 2019, marked from that day forward as his birthday

He was especially fond of his mother, although he eventually accepted his father as a member of the pack and loved both his parents unconditionally. He spent his days going on walks, taking frequent naps, and enjoying too much people food, especially steak from Texas Roadhouse on Fridays.

Unflinchingly loyal and ever the protector, Howard kept his domain safe from all intruders, be they DoorDashers, pizza delivery personnel, UPS men/women, neighbors, or family members who simply dropped by to say hello. He had little tolerance for interlopers in his home or neighborhood and was especially selective when it came to other dogs who lived in the territory that he was dutybound to patrol.

"Doped up" Howard after mouth surgery in July 2020

He appreciated the devoted care of the staff at Franklin Falls Animal Clinic, Barkefellers Indy South, and Petco. Franklin Falls kept track of his health, Barkefellers gave him a place to play when Mom and Dad were at work or otherwise away, and Petco staffers gave him baths and tried to keep his dewclaws under control. His parents wish to thank them all for the tremendous love, care, and support they afforded their precious boy.

Howard with a signature Petco bandana

Howard embarked on many adventures. He loved visiting various parks around the area and walking around/sniffing neighborhoods like Misty Ridge and that one condo community off Shelbyville Road near Jeremiah Gray Elementary School. He was involved in a crash when his mother’s car had an unfortunate encounter with a curb while picking him up from surgery to have him fixed.

Howard sleeping like a little human in January 2021

He filled his days with naps and treats, and countless photographs show the many positions and locations in which he slept. Sometimes he would disappear for hours underneath blankets; sometimes he managed to sleep like a little human with his head peeking out from underneath the covers. He also loved to lie in the sun; his mother bought him a specialized elevated bed so he could soak in some rays.

Howard on his elevated bed in July 2025

Howard enjoyed relatively good health throughout his time in the Kingdom of Quail Run. He did need some surgery to remove a few teeth and a collapsing trachea meant he was sometimes prone to respiratory distress. His parents managed his condition with an inhaler and unconditional love. Sometimes his father worked from home to make sure he was comfortable. Sometimes his mother would take the day off work to keep an eye on him.

Howard with his inhaler, April 2022

He typically took three walks a day: one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. In the early days of his Indianapolis residence, the evening walk happened late, between the hours of eight or nine p.m. As the years went by, and Howard’s eyesight declined, he preferred an evening walk around seven p.m., when there was still some waning daylight.

On extremely hot and humid summer days—and there were many in 2024 and 2025—his mother and father drove him to the neighborhood gazebo so he could sniff and take care of his business without being exposed to the elements for prolonged periods of time. This extended to extreme cold, when his parents would drive him somewhere in the neighborhood to avoid the cold and snow. He had a variety of outfits to keep his tummy warm, including several “Adidog” sweatsuits that his father adored.

One of his "Adidog" sweatsuits from December 2020

Over the years, he played with many toys. They included Chewbacca, Peppermint Unicorn, Giant Blue Shrimp, Chop-Chop (Lambchop), Duck-Duck, Pink Flamingo, and many more. His parents needed multiple versions of Chop-Chop, who was undoubtedly one of his favorite toys and needed to be replaced due to excessive wear and tear. He showed much love to a Mickey Mouse toy by ripping off the nose and exposing stuffing in the shoulder region, damage his determined mother could not fix.

One could surmise from this information that Howard was spoiled. This supposition would be correct.

Howard with one of his Chop-Chops, December 2022

It is not an exaggeration to suggest Howard was the reason his parents survived the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic started less than a year into his adoption, and Howard provided a loving presence at home and gave his parents an excuse to get out of the house during lockdown periods. Without him, his mother and father would’ve likely descended into madness. He was truly the MVP of that unfortunate chapter of reality.

Howard chills outside in June 2020 during the great pandemic

While good-intentioned and loyal, Howard could also be feisty and obstinate. Walks didn’t end until he wanted them to end, and he seldom went where his parents wanted him to go. They eventually learned to guide him, although they were never able to do so with 100% success. He didn’t love taking medicine and would sometimes spit out pills even when they were hidden in sliced turkey. If Howard wanted food or attention, he would make it known and relentlessly pursue his parents until they met his demands (again, spoiled).

He was a constant companion, a snuggler, a protector, an investigative reporter, a drain inspector, an accomplished snacker, a world champion napper, and a source of infinite amusement.

But most of all, he was a very good boy.

Rest easy, sweet boy
By at

Monday, June 23, 2025

The Four Miracles of Indiana

When the Indiana Pacers won the Eastern Conference Finals, coach Rick Carlisle uttered a phrase familiar to those who live in the state of Indiana. 

“In 49 states, it’s just basketball. But this is Indiana.” 

The game is inseparable from the Hoosier State. It’s God, basketball, cornfields, and the Indianapolis 500 here—and the priority varies by circumstance. 

We have a few patron saints of basketball. You’ve got Bob Knight, John Wooden, Gene Keady, and Brad Stevens, all generational talents who performed some extraordinary miracles on the hardwood. 

There’s Norman Dale, a fictional coach who’s just as real as anyone who has ever drawn up a play or riled up officials enough to get tossed from a game. 

The Indiana Pacers have a few patron saints of their own—Slick and Nancy Leonard, George McGinnis, Mel Daniels, Reggie Miller, Rik Smits, Jermaine O’Neal. Heck, throw Lance Stephenson in there, too. Few players were as borderline insane and beloved as “Born Ready.” 

Slick, Nancy, and Reggie were the miracle workers of the bunch, with Slick and Nancy willing the Pacers to stay in Indianapolis with a telethon and Reggie providing unforgettable moments that would somehow repeat 25 years later against the same New York Knicks franchise he delighted in tormenting. 

Yet, as charmed as the Pacers’ run in the early 1990s through mid-2000s was, something else always stood in the way. The Patrick Ewing-led New York Knicks. The Michael Jordan-era Chicago Bulls, a historically dominant franchise that won back-to-back-back titles twice, leaving little room for anyone else to represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals. 

Even when the Pacers made their sole NBA Finals appearance during the 1999-2000 season, they ran into another historic team of destiny in Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and the Los Angeles Lakers. They managed a couple wins in the series before losing in six games. 

The next best shot for the Pacers came during the 2004-2005 season, when Indiana had what appeared to be both the best team in the Eastern Conference and the whole NBA. This team, with Reggie taking on a reduced role as he tried to win that elusive ring, appeared ready to take the next step. 

It all unraveled with The Brawl (aka “The Malice at the Palace”). The resulting fight and media circus, which I will not deign to relive or relitigate here, led to severe punishment for the Pacers and ruined Reggie’s last, best chance at a championship.  

The Pacers made the playoffs as a sixth seed and advanced to the second round before losing to Detroit. Reggie retired at the end of the season. 

The Pacers remained competitive for the better part of the next two decades. They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals a couple times under ascending star Paul George, although the Blue and Gold ran into continued roadblocks in the form of LeBron James, a dominant player whose specter would haunt the franchise in the 2010s in the form of soul-crushing playoff exits and all-world clutch performances with both the Big Three Miami Heat and the Home Again Cleveland Cavaliers. 

From 2010 through 2020, the Pacers qualified for the playoffs in nine out of ten seasons. And while they were above average and consistently competitive, they exceeded 50 wins only once, when the Paul George-led 2013-2014 team won 56 games and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. 

King James, of course, made sure the top-seeded Pacers never reached the Finals. 

Trades moved star players in and out. George. Victor Oladipo. Malcolm Brogdon. Caris LeVert. Good players, some of whom even had great moments. 

But true success proved elusive. 

In the 2020-2021 season, the Pacers made the play-in round of the NBA postseason and lost to the Miami Heat.  

This marked a key turning point, as the franchise got rid of Nate Bjorkgren (a head-scratching hire in the first place) and hired Rick Carlisle, the NBA championship-winning coach who parted ways with the Dallas Mavericks. 

Carlisle had previously coached the Pacers before his unceremonious firing, when he had more hair and looked even more like Jim Carrey. He was at the helm during The Brawl and oversaw some excellent Pacers teams. 

A tough, demanding coach by reputation, Carlisle wore out his welcome in Indianapolis, which showed him the door following the 2006-2007 season. The team had missed the playoffs after making nine consecutive postseason appearances. 

Fast forward more than a decade and the Pacers, facing an imminent rebuild and a team stacked with young talent, wanted a veteran coach at the helm to pull it all together. 

During Carlisle’s return season, the Pacers acquired Tyrese Haliburton in a trade with the Sacramento Kings, a savvy personnel move that changed the trajectory of the franchise. 

The team gave up Domantas Sabonis, a talented and tough-nosed forward who could serve as a franchise cornerstone with any other team. The immediate returns weren’t evident. The Pacers missed the playoffs in Haliburton’s first two seasons. Too often, flashes of brilliance were offset by injuries or inconsistency. 

It all came together during the surprising 2023-2024 season, when the Pacers made it into the postseason as a sixth seed and beat Milwaukee and New York to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. They ran into a juggernaut in the Boston Celtics, who calmly swept the upstart Pacers en route to an NBA championship. 

That run seemed miraculous. 

But Pacers fans had no idea what the team had planned for the encore. 

These are the Four Miracles of Indiana. 

Miracle One: The Blow By (April 29, 2025) 

The Pacers held a 3-1 series lead and had the chance to close out the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of their first-round series. A desperate Milwaukee team stormed out to a 17-point lead in the first quarter as the Pacers steadily worked their way back into the game. 

Haliburton tied the game at 103 with about ten seconds left. All-world scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a 15-footer that would’ve won the game in regulation, sending it into overtime. 

Milwaukee took a commanding seven-point lead with 40 seconds left in the extra frame. Andrew Nembhard’s three cut the lead to four.  

Timeout, Milwaukee. 

Nembhard then stole the inbounds pass and got the ball to Haliburton, who sprinted in for a layup and drew a foul. He sank the free throw to make it a one-point game. 

Timeout, Milwaukee. 

Facing intense pressure from the Pacers, the Bucks finally inbounded the ball to Kevin Porter Jr. He swung it to AJ Green, who tried to get it to Gary Trent Jr. on the sideline. Trent, who’d made Indiana’s life miserable all night with a barrage of threes, couldn’t handle the pass, which went through his hands and darted out of bounds for the turnover. 

Timeout, Pacers?  

Absolutely not. 

The team used the dead ball to sub Pascal Siakam in for Jarace Walker. With 10.1 seconds left, Haliburton took the inbounds pass and dribbled past midcourt. 

A high screen from Siakam had Antetokounmpo, an All-NBA defender, switch to Haliburton. But the Pacers guard hit him with a crossover dribble, got to his right, and blew by Antetokounmpo to hit the game-winning field goal with 1.3 seconds left. 

Indiana advances. Milwaukee goes home. Final score: 119-118. 

Miracle Two: The Heart-Taker (May 6, 2025) 

After winning Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Pacers stared down another huge deficit in Game 2. It ballooned to 20 points in the second quarter, as the top seed in the Eastern Conference dominated Indiana. 

The Pacers trailed by 14 points going into the fourth quarter. The Cavs finished the regular season with 64 wins and appeared to be well on their way to evening the series at one game apiece. 

Cleveland led 119-112 with under a minute left. Yes, the Pacers had come back, but the Cavs answered each time, including a Max Strus three and free throws from star Donovan Mitchell to keep Indiana at a distance. 

When Pascal Siakam drew a foul with 48 seconds left, it looked like the perfect opportunity for the Pacers to score points with the clock stopped. 

Siakam proceeded to miss the first free throw. 

And the second. 

But do-it-all forward Aaron Nesmith crashed in from the top of the key, skied for the rebound, and threw down a vicious dunk. The play stunned the Cavs and their fans. Nesmith’s athletic putback erased Siakam’s free throw misses and made it 119-114. 

On the ensuing inbound play, Mitchell caught the ball on the sideline and tried to go through Nesmith, elbows flying. The resulting collision knocked both players to the floor, and the officials whistled Mitchell for an offensive foul. 

The call held up on review (Nesmith’s putback dunk had also been reviewed and upheld earlier). 

Siakam’s driving layup cut the Cavs’ lead to three, 119-116. 

Timeout, Cleveland. 

Nembhard stole the next inbounds pass with 27 seconds left. He got the ball to Haliburton, who drove toward the basket and drew a foul with 12.1 remaining. 

He sank the first free throw to make it a two-point game at 119-117.  

The second one went off the front of the rim; Myles Turner tipped the ball to Haliburton. 

Timeout, Pacers? 

Absolutely not. 

Haliburton backed out toward the top of the key. With Cleveland’s Ty Jerome in front of him, he calmly stepped back and drilled a three with 1.1 seconds left to give the Pacers a one-point lead. 

The Pacers take a 2-0 series lead. The Cavs have their hearts ripped out. Final score: 120-119. 

Indiana would win the series in five games. 

Miracle Three: The Three-Smith Choke (May 21, 2025) 

Facing a rowdy crowd at Madison Square Garden, the Pacers dug themselves a hole in the fourth quarter, and it looked like they wouldn’t be able to dig out of it this time. The Knicks led by 14 with 3:44 left and took another 14-point lead with 2:51 left off a Jalen Brunson three. 

Haliburton hit a three, the Pacers got a stop, and Nesmith hit from long distance to make it an eight-point game at 119-111. The Knicks kept answering, but the Pacers kept getting the ball to Nesmith, who got on one of the all-time heaters in NBA playoff history. 

During the memorable close to the game, Nesmith buried six threes and hit a couple free throws to bring the Pacers back to life. That’s 20 points in the span of about five minutes, and while it’s not 8 points in 8.9 seconds, it sure as heck is just as impressive. 

These weren’t wide open looks, either. 

The Knicks consistently got a hand in his face and often knocked him down as each unlikely shot hit the bottom of the net. 

Nesmith closed out his scoring run with a pair of free throws to make it 124-123 New York. 

Siakam fouled OG Anunoby with 7.1 seconds left; Anunoby missed the first but hit the second to make it a two-point lead at 125-123. 

Timeout, Pacers? 

Absolutely not. 

Haliburton raced down the floor, drove into the lane, and then, just as he had against Cleveland, took a step back shot. 

This time, the ball hit the back of the rim, bounced straight up, and hung in the air for an eternity until it hit the bottom of the net. 

Hali gave the Knicks fans his version of Reggie Miller’s iconic “Choke.” 

A review showed Haliburton’s toe was on the line, so the clutch shot “merely” tied the game at 125 instead of winning it. The Pacers captured the overtime period (Nembhard scored seven points and had a key assist) to win Game 1. 

The Pacers take a 1-0 series lead. The Knicks cope with “Choke 2.0.” Final score: 138-135.  

Indiana would go on to win the series in six and advance to the NBA Finals. 

Miracle Four: The Point-Three Killer (June 5, 2025) 

In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Pacers looked completely overmatched.  

The Oklahoma City Thunder, the top seed in the playoffs with an NBA-best 68 wins in the regular season, played at a speed unlike anything the Pacers had faced the entire season. 

Watching a team on film doesn’t prepare you for the reality of seeing them on the court. With the raucous crowd at the Paycom Center firmly behind them, the Thunder stormed out to a 12-point halftime lead. 

The Pacers kept turning the ball over. In the first half alone, they gave the ball away 19 times against OKC’s smothering defense. They cleaned it up considerably in the second half, finishing with 25 total turnovers on the night. 

The Thunder, collected and calm, had just seven turnovers in Game 1. 

Oklahoma City extended the lead to 15 points with less than ten minutes left in the fourth quarter. They had a 97.9% chance of winning the game. 

The Pacers chipped away. With 2:52 left, the Thunder led by nine after a pair of free throws from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Indiana responded with back-to-back threes from Nesmith and Nembhard to pull within three. 

A jumper from Gilgeous-Alexander made it 110-105 with 1:27 left. Nembhard sank a pair of free throws, and the Pacers stopped OKC on the next possession after Siakam blocked SGA. 

Nembhard launched a game-tying shot attempt but missed; Siakam stormed into the lane to get the rebound and a putback to make it 110-109 OKC. 

On the ensuing possession, Jalen Williams missed a layup, but the Pacers couldn’t corral the rebound and Carlisle called a timeout to challenge the play, arguing Siakam had gotten shoved out of bounds. 

It was an unsuccessful challenge, and OKC retained possession of the ball. Gilgeous-Alexander, facing intense defensive pressure from Nembhard, missed a jumper off the back of the rim with 11 seconds left. 

Nesmith came through with a spectacular rebound. 

Timeout, Pacers? 

Absolutely not. 

Nesmith got the ball to Siakam, who passed it to Obi Toppin. Toppin handed the ball to Haliburton near midcourt. 

Hali drove to his right, found a little space just inside the three-point line, and pulled up for another cold-blooded clutch shot. 

Indiana takes a 1-0 series lead. Oklahoma City wonders what happened. Final score: 111-110. 

Epilogue

Miracles can only get you so far.

You can't rely on them--they just happen. Sometimes, they desert you.

The Pacers pushed the Thunder to seven games in a series they weren't supposed to be in. And with Haliburton dealing with a calf strain, the miracles ran out.

There would be no fifth miracle. Just heartbreak.

Still, we were believers.

On behalf of the fans, thank you, Pacers.



By at
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)