Doyel: Without rules, there is chaos. Speaking of which, how about Pacers vs Cavs, Game 2?

Indianapolis Star

08-05-2025

We have rules around here, because without rules there is chaos. Speaking of that.
DID YOU SEE GAME 2?
Pacers at Cleveland, I'm saying. The Aaron Nesmith Dunk Game. The Pacers' 20-Point Comeback and Haliburton Game-Winner Game, 2.0.
Chaos.
Here's what I sent my IndyStar text group after the game, when my story posted that night at about 11 p.m.:
(Nothing.)
(I didn't text the group until the next morning.)
See, we have rules around here – without rules there is chaos, etc. – and here's one: I don't text the group before 9 a.m., or after 9 p.m. Nope, not even for that game.
No such rules for members of the group, who were texting me all night! Not complaining. Let's Mailbagg™.
Doyel on Game 2: Nesmith dunk, Haliburton shot, 20-point comeback enter Pacers playoff lore
From: Michael G.
C'mon, Double-g, break your late night text rule. Everyone is still too hyped to go to bed.
Without rules there is chaos. I'm a peacemaker at heart, see.
From: Lisa R.
Well, I hope your column tomorrow will start out with, "The most overrated player in the NBA" .... and then lay it on THICK!
Nah, I was much more measured. All I did was compare this game to '8 points in 9 seconds.' Well, I did. Did you know Game 2 happened one day short of the 30th anniversary of Pacers legend Reggie Miller's signature moment – he scored those 8 points in those nine seconds – at Madison Square Garden in 1995? Yeah, I went there, and then hoped I wasn't the only one making the comparison.
Kind of a fragile feeling, really. I'm an emotional writer – you know this. Did I get too caught up in the moment? Did I really compare Game 2 to '8 points in 9 seconds'?
8 points, 9 seconds: Inside Madison Square Garden when Reggie Miller's 8 points in 8.9 seconds echoed round the world
From: Matt D.
That whole sequence looked like vintage Reggie. Wow. Insane
Love this group so much.
From: John B.
Tyrese Haliburton is the most underrated player in the NBA!
As Haliburton said afterward, words so good I gave them the place of honor in my story:
'Overrate THAT.'
From: Zach M.
My friend and I were screaming so loud his cat ran away!
The cat will forgive you and Tyrese and Nesmith. The Cavs may not.
Doyel: Wild Pacers comeback one day off 30th anniversary of "8 points in 9 seconds"
A reader in the group wrote a song for me. No, that's not quite right. He wrote a song ABOUT me!
Yes he did.
From: Daniel L.
I really enjoy your reporting and columns. To celebrate and thank you I crafted this song!
Heart of Our Town (The Ballad of Gregg Doyel)
In a café on Main Street, where the stories unfold,
Sits a wizard named Gregg, with a heart made of gold.
He knows every player, every cheer and the tear,
From the little league diamonds to the high school frontier.
Oh, Gregg Doyel, our hometown star,
You're the voice of the people, no matter how far.
With a tale that can move us, and a truth that ignites,
You're the heartbeat of our town, shining bright in the nights.
The song keeps going, but I'll stop there. Thank you Daniel. To say I'm blown away would be perhaps the first understatement of my life.
From: Daniel L., Part 2
He paints vivid pictures, with words so sincere,
Of triumphs and heartaches, the laughter, the fear.
Each story he tells, is a bridge to our souls,
Bringing us closer, making the broken feel whole.
Get your Kleenex ready, for the sensitive streams,
He'll touch on our struggles, and awaken our dreams.
With precision and insight, he uncovers the heart,
Even the hardest of stories, he knows where to start.
We get it, Daniel. Thank you.
The text group is fascinating, a real-time conversation with readers. I'd compare it to social media, but the text group is private and kind, which means it's nothing like social media. Readers see only texts from me, maybe 4-5 short notes a week – mainly the first looks at my columns, with an occasional peek behind the curtains.
Join us in the link below any of my online columns, and then please send me something like Kelly E. texted before the Fever's preseason opener.
From: Kelly E.
Hey, Gregg, have you had a chance to interact with Sophie Cunningham yet? I think you'll find she is what every team, WNBA or otherwise, needs. She's upbeat, silly, spiritual, community-focused and a pretty darned good basketball player. She will be the perfect complement to Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and Caitlin Clark.
Here's what I sent back: 'Not yet, Kelly. But I'll be out and about. Thanks for notice!'
And then here's what happened in that first preseason game: With Caitlin Clark on the bench in street clothes, Sophie Cunningham led a fierce comeback Fever win, was targeted twice by members of the Washington Mystics – and was trending nationally on social media.
I wrote about it. Kelly read what I wrote from the game, and texted me again.
From: Kelly E.
Guess I forgot to mention that Sophie is a polarizing figure.
I was remembering your first text as I wrote that story. And I did think:
Kelly forgot to mention something…
Doyel: Fever win, move meter nationally without Caitlin Clark. How? Sophie Cunningham.
Game 2 of the Pacers-Cavs series was historic, and yet … not too unusual. It was the Pacers' second 20-point NBA playoffs comeback in seven days, and Tyrese Haliburton's second game-winner in the final seconds. You remember Game 5 against the Bucks. And you remember what happened after the game, with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Haliburton's dad.
I had my say in a column that night. Group members had their say in a flurry of text messages.
From: Melissa L.
Love you Gregg. BUT....this was a blip of the bigger story, which was the game. The whole incident (between John Haliburton and Antetokounmpo) deserves no more than a paragraph. The man apologized, Ty made his statement, and now that part should not be mentioned anymore. The fans aren't talking about this, just the media and mostly just you.
Now, let it go.
Thanks Melissa. I won't harp on it anymore, promise. But my job isn't ONLY to address what fans want to talk about. My job is to write about what happens, especially when it echoes around the globe – as that did, that night.
From: Steve W.
Totally agree with your column. The dad should be banned from future games.
Love you Steve W. BUT….don't you think that was a blip of the bigger story, which was the game?
Love you too, Melissa L.!!!
From: Michael R.
Anyone who's been around a bit will recognize that Tyrese's sincere, dignified mea culpa on behalf of his Pops – without throwing the ol' fella under a bus. Haliburton, thus, fulfilled any duty he may owe the Pacers, as 'face of the franchise,' while remaining true to the tradition of filial piety.
Love this take. Love this group.
From: Nick H.
Tyrese's father was wrong and I think it needs to be pointed out that Tyrese called him out for it. That's a hard thing to do as a son, and so publicly. A lot of players would not have done what Tyrese did, and so quickly.
Ibid.
Doyel on Pacers-Bucks Game 5: This night belongs to Tyrese Haliburton, not his dad
Doyel on Pacers-Cavs Game 1: Pacers dominate Cavaliers in Cleveland. America noticed.
From: Irving P.
Can you think of a better second-round NBA draft pick than Andrew Nembhard within the last ten years or so? We have major joy going on right now: Pacers/Fever, just need the Colts to join our party!
Not printing this reply, but … can Nembhard play quarterback?
From: Jim L.
I haven't seen that you've named your followers. Many groups of followers have names: "Trumpers" or "Swifties" etc. How about "Doyelies.'
Trump. Taylor. Me. Those are pretty much America's three biggest influencers. Let's see … Mailbaggies? Needs work. Too bad I'm not printing this. Would've liked to crowdsource this, like when you guys named this "Mailbagg".
From: Daniel L., Part 3
From the sidelines he watches, with a glimmering eye,
Every tackle and touchdown, every tear in the sky.He chronicles moments that the world may dismiss,But we know in our hearts, they're impossible to miss.
So here's to Gregg Doyel, our sports wizard, our friend,With stories that linger, they'll never quite end.In the heart of our town, you forever will stay,Guiding us through, in your own special way.Oh, Gregg Doyel, the heart of our town,With every word spoken, our love only grows.
Sniff.
Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar. Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.