Hoosiers Heroes

NEXT SEASON THE Indiana Pacers will honor the 30th anniversary of Hoosiers by wearing the uniforms made famous by fictional Hickory High. SI consulted with Angelo Pizzo, the film's writer, to see which current NBA players would be the best fits for the Huskers.

JIMMY CHITWOOD: GORDON HAYWARD

Run the picket fence all day long for the baby-faced Hoosier State hero.

OLLIE MCCLELLAN: MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA

Doesn't shoot free throws granny style, but he's a floor-burn-lovin' reserve.

RADE BUTCHER: J.R. SMITH

Four passes before shooting? Not when a gunner like Smith is playing, no matter what his coach says.

STRAP PURL: AMAR'E STOUDEMIRE

God will want Stoudemire on the floor where he can best throw around his bulk.

MERLE WEBB: JEREMY LIN

Point guard from Harvard represents all the guys from small schools who never got a chance.

BUDDY WALKER: DEANDRE JORDAN

Quits team over a disagreement with his coach, returns and sticks to opponents like gum.

EVERETT FLATCH: JOHN LUCAS

Father overcame demons, helps from afar; son a valuable glue guy, and hasn't thrown anyone into a trophy case.

WHIT BUTCHER: CHRIS SMITH

Brother of the team's gunner ain't no gizzard, but two-game career makes it easy to forget he was ever around.

SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE

The Bowie Baysox, an Orioles Double A affiliate, planned to host Back Hair Appreciation Night on July 30, including a contest to win a free waxing.

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TWITTER.COM (UNIFORM)

THREE PHOTOS

JOHN W. MCDONOUGH FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (LIN, J.R. SMITH, DELLAVADOVA)

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MELISSA MAJCHRZAK/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (HAYWARD)

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ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (JORDAN)

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ORION PICTURES/NEAL PETERS COLLECTION (GENE HACKMAN)

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GLENN JAMES/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (STOUDEMIRE)

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JACK ARENT/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (CHRIS SMITH)

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B. SEVALD/EINSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (LUCAS)

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COURTESY OF MILB.COM (BACK HAIR)

ILLUSTRATION