The BIG 3 tournament is littered with Indiana Pacers legends

While some avid NBA fans don’t take the BIG 3 that seriously, at least Indiana Pacers fans can watch some of their favorite legends back on the hardwood this summer.

Since last year’s inaugural season of the summer tournament “BIG 3,” which features everything from ex-NBA stars to hoops journeymen looking for some work, the league has quickly gone from a running joke in the basketball world to an exciting alternative to the thrill of NBA basketball.

Though some NBA fans don’t take it that seriously, Indiana Pacers fans could have a reason to tune in because of all the alumni holding down the Hoosier reputation in the BIG 3.

Al Harrington, one of the first players to ever be drafted straight out of high school, was recently named the player of the week. His coach Allen Iverson was not shy about lauding the ex-All Star, as he has been as versatile and difficult to guard in the tournament as he was in his prime.

Granted, the competition isn’t nearly as tough, but for a 38-year-old who grinded out 16 NBA seasons, including seven productive season with the Indiana Pacers, it’s tough to hate on his performance.

Meanwhile, whether you love or hate the man formally known as Ron Artest for his role in the notorious “Malice at the Palace” incident, the fact of the matter is Metta World Peace is a Pacers legend. His intense defense and bad boy antics helped him carve out a 16-year NBA tenure, including stints with six different teams. His lone All-Star appearance came in one of his four seasons with the Pacers.

He picked up right where he left off, menacingly kicking the ball into the stands during his BIG 3 game playing for the “Killer 3s,” and in no other place than Detroit — yes, the same Detroit where he literally attacked fans in the stands. Names may change, but not people.

Also on the court for that game was none other than Metta World Peace’s co-star in his Pacers days, Stephen Jackson. While Jackson played for eight teams in just 13 seasons, he played some of his golden days in Indiana, averaging 18.7 points per game in his first season there. While this team isn’t nearly as prolific as that Pacers squad, it’s just cool to see the guys back together again.

Finally, perhaps the most impactful of ex-Pacers currently playing in the BIG 3 is Jermaine O’Neal. Unlike the previously mentioned players, O’Neal was featured in six consecutive All-Star games as an a member of the Pacers, he got the Most Improved Player award in his first season in Indiana, and he was dubbed an All-NBA selection three times. During that prime, he averaged 20.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.

At 39 years old, he is looking pretty fresh out there, as he dropped 18 points in the debut game at the Barclay’s Center.

The truth is these guys are all way past their primes, but it’s still pretty cool to be able to see some of the greatest Pacers ever to play all get back on the court during the dog days of summer.