Indiana Pacers to Wear 'Hickory' Jerseys in Select Games During 2015-16 Season

The Indiana Pacers unveiled new alternate jerseys for the 2015-16 season Tuesday.

The kits are reliably nostalgic, modeled after the Hickory High School basketball uniforms worn in the 1986 movie Hoosiers.

Tom Strickland/Associated Press

George Hill modeled the new gear for the Pacers. Unfortunately, it appears the Pacers chose not to follow through with the Hickory short shorts.

The Pacers stated in a press release that the alternates are in celebration of the film's 30th anniversary.

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 In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) and the Indiana Pacers will bring one of the all-time great underdog stories, Hoosiers, to the NBA hardwood, celebrating the film's 30th Anniversary.

For the 2015-16 season, the Pacers will introduce the Hickory uniform to be worn in select regular season games as part of the NBA Pride Collection. The Hickory uniform is a tribute to the rich tradition of basketball in the State of Indiana and will serve as inspiration to fans everywhere that no matter how improbable the challenge may be, amazing things can be accomplished through teamwork, determination, heart and hustle.

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Team president Larry Bird seems bullish on the Hickory uniforms.

"Our team will be honored to wear the Hickory uniforms because of the attention it will bring to the storied history of Indiana basketball and the success of that movie," Bird said. "Hoosiers takes us all back to a special place and time."

So far, reception of the Hickory kits has been warm:

Anything to get the mojo back, right?

In the midst of what promises to be a frustrating rebuild, the Pacers need any edge they can grab. If new jerseys put even the hint of a pep in the team's step, sure. Why not?

It's a long road back to the Eastern Conference Finals street fights of yore, and focusing on the enormity of the task can only be so beneficial.

I will say the rebuild would go a lot smoother if they just embraced the short shorts. No half-steppin', right?

Dan is on Twitter. George Hill is just Jimmy Chitwood meets Sisqo.