50 Cent Doubles Down on Indiana Pacers Support, Shaking Up NBA Fandom

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is once again proving he moves to the beat of his own drum, this time courtside. The Queens rapper has been front and center cheering on the Indiana Pacers during their thrilling NBA Finals run, and the switch from his hometown New York Knicks has not gone unnoticed.

Long a fixture courtside at Madison Square Garden, 50 Cent’s allegiance took a dramatic turn this postseason. After the Pacers forced a Game 7 with a decisive 108 to 91 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, 50 shared an AI-edited image of himself wearing a Pacers jersey and championship ring, captioning it:
"Can you say momentum... I’m a Winner"

Another post showed him tossing aside Knicks gear with the words:
"New York yes I’m from New York, but I can’t lose my whole life. FVCK THAT… I’m a Winner"

Some Knicks fans were quick to criticize the rapper for switching teams, with some branding him a bandwagon fan. Unfazed, 50 clapped back, writing:
"Yes, the Indiana PACERS have never lost a game when I was there"

One particularly harsh critic went viral for saying:
"I see why 50 got shot 9 times"

It was not just about basketball for 50. He used the moment to mend fences with longtime rival Joe Budden. The two were seen embracing at the game, with 50 later posting:
"I ran into Joe at the game… he said I don’t need Therapy No MORE"

Adding to the cultural crossover, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle selected 50 Cent’s classic "Many Men" as the team’s walkout anthem. Fans appreciated the gritty vibe it brought to the court, with one Redditor noting:
"I love how Rick Carlisle’s eyes narrow when 50 says ‘blood in my eye dawg and I can’t see.’ The energy fits perfectly"

Savvy fandom. 50 Cent knows how to stay in the winner’s circle.

Cultural crossover. The blending of hip-hop swagger and NBA energy is more powerful than ever.

Personal reinvention. From Knicks supporter to Pacers hype man to peacemaker with Joe Budden, 50’s NBA presence is reshaping his public persona.

With the Finals approaching a fever pitch, will 50 Cent’s courtside presence help push the Pacers over the top? One thing is certain, wherever 50 goes, headlines and controversy follow.

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Image:  Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson visits Barksdale AFB by Senior Airman Nia Jacobs  | Public Domain