Rick Carlisle walks out to 50 Cent’s ‘Many Men’ ahead of Game 6 of NBA Finals [VIDEO]

Rick Carlisle Makes an Unexpected Statement with 50 Cent’s ‘Many Men’

Just before tip-off of Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle made a dramatic entrance that lit up social media. In addition, it sent Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a frenzy. As the lights dimmed and phones lit the arena, the haunting piano and grim lyrics of 50 Cent’s “Many Men (Wish Death)” echoed through the speakers. This was Carlisle’s choice for his walkout music.

The move caught everyone off guard. Fans, players, and broadcasters watched as Carlisle, stoic and locked in, emerged to the 2003 anthem about betrayal, survival, and resilience. In a series where the Pacers trail 3-2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder and arefacing elimination, the moment felt like a cinematic call to arms.

Why “Many Men”?

Released as part of 50 Cent’s debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, “Many Men (Wish Death)” is rooted in the rapper’s real-life experience of surviving a 2000 shooting. The lyrics speak to enduring hardship and plotting comeback. Those are themes that paralleled the Pacers’ uphill Finals journey.

For Carlisle, he’s a seasoned coach with a championship pedigree and an often calm demeanor. So, the choice was unexpected. But in context, it made sense. His team has been doubted, overlooked, and now face their last stand at home. The gritty tone of “Many Men” turned what could’ve been just another Finals intro into a moment fans and media are already calling iconic.

In addition, walking the Pacers out to this music set the tone. Now, for the second straight year, 50 Cent’s classic single is trending. Both times, it’s due to unexpected people being drawn to the song.

Fan Reactions: Viral Moments and Memes

Social media exploded once the song dropped. Reactions flooded in within seconds of BricksCenter posting the 21-second clip at 8:46 PM EDT:

• @TubesIsGeeked: “Rick coming out to Many Men made me cry. I hope y’all pull through @Pacers.”
• @SaraBrnic_: “Pacers playing Many Men before tip off lmaoooo Indy locked in.”
• @Weebayy_Jetson: “Pacers ML they came out to 50 Many Men 🤣”
• @jbthacrazy30: “Pacers played Many Men—yeah game 7.”
• @Chrissssssw: “Pacers playing Many Men before tip off lmao I’m crying.”

Not all responses were supportive, though. Some poked fun at the moment:

• @KnicksCentral: “Pacers playing Many Men before a game is so strange…”
• @507LindaALeudo: “Why are the Pacers still playing Many Men?? The artist is a New Yorker from Queens. 😂”

Regardless of take, the moment dominated the X timeline, with “Many Men” trending by halftime.

Given the rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers, many New Yorkers took exception to them using “Many Men,” which is evidenced above. This season and last season saw the Knicks-Pacers rivalry reignite. However, both times saw the Pacers win the series. As a result, the Knicks fans have taken exception to the Pacers’ 2025 run to the Finals, in general.

Cultural Context: A Song With Deep Roots

“Many Men” isn’t just a hip-hop classic; it’s a song that resurfaces in moments of adversity. In 2023, it was certified triple platinum by the RIAA and spiked in streams following various real-world events, including the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in 2024, when it hit the top 10 on iTunes.

The song’s revival during the NBA Finals puts it at a new cultural intersection—between music, sports, and digital meme culture. While Carlisle never issued an official comment on the choice, the symbolism didn’t need an explanation.

Now, “Many Men” has evolved from 50 Cent detailing his shooting to much more. Originally, this song served as the explanation for his disdain for Ja Rule and co. After that, the song lived on as a motivational anthem. Often, this song was analyzed and dissected. Since last year, it’s been co-opted by Trump’s coalition. Additionally, now, the Indiana Pacers’ fan base.

High Stakes, Heavy Themes

As of 8:56 PM EDT, the game was still ongoing. But with the Thunder leading the series 3-2, the Pacers had no room for error. Carlisle’s choice of intro music felt like a psychological tactic, setting the emotional tone and letting the world know his squad was coming with fight.

If Indiana were to win Game 6 and force a Game 7, this intro moment could become part of Pacers lore. If they lost, it would still live on in meme history as one of the most intense (and unexpected) coach entrances in Finals history.

After dominating the opening minutes of the game, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been blown out. During the Pacers’ Game 5 loss, in Oklahoma City, Tyrese Haliburton suffered a calf injury. As a result, it was believed that the Thunder had an advantage. Instead, the Pacers have played a balanced game, and have a commanding lead over the Thunder. So, Game 7 is looking increasingly likely.

Conclusion: Coach Turned Cultural Curator

Whether intended as motivation, intimidation, or just a vibe, Rick Carlisle’s choice to use 50 Cent’s “Many Men” as his entrance music was a bold, cinematic stroke. It spoke volumes without a word, reminded fans why sports and culture are inseparable, and gave the 2025 NBA Finals an unforgettable viral moment.

In the era of memes and moments, Carlisle proved one thing: coaches can set the tone, too—and sometimes, that tone sounds a lot like survival.

Also, this moment brings back to light the comment Drake made on his debut album. On Thank Me Later‘s “Thank Me Now,” Drake made an observation about sports and music. Specifically, Drake was talking about the relationship between the NBA and hip-hop. He said “we wanna be them and they wanna be us.”

When it’s Game 6 of the NBA Finals and the head coach of the Pacers chooses “Many Men” for his team to walk out to, Drake’s observation resonates. Meanwhile, the fans who witnessed the moment enjoy the moment for what it is. Indiana, on the other hand, used the song to give them the energy to keep their season alive.