Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast

Brody Stephens, diagnosed in 2010 with acute myeloid leukemia, is a fighter. The New Palestine native is just eight years old but he’s had to battle like no kid should ever have. While at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, Brody was visited by Andrew Luck and Jack Doyle of the Colts, Steph Curry and coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors – which made his wish come true. And, Glenn Robinson III of the Pacers took an interest in Brody after reading about his fight. [Click here to contribute to Brody’s gofundme page for expenses and savings] Brody has become fond of GRIII, who visited him several times in the hospital. He brought shoes and hats. He has a jersey on the way. They talked NBA and discussed Brody’s extensive card collection. Yes, he even has one of Robinson III, from Gary, Indiana. Recently, I talked with Glenn about Brody, their relationship, and why Brody inspires him. Listen below. What's your excuse for not working on ur game?? My man Brody working on defensive slide!#brodystrong pi

Aaron Eamer was in his Las Vegas hotel tuned to a random NBA game in 2004. Eamer, a native of Bristol, England, was just visiting but he loved the game and decided he would become a fan of whichever team won. Indiana Pacers 90, New Jersey Nets 80 The Pacers won, and gained a fan for life in the process. Though he lives 4,000 miles away, Eamer calls the Pacers his favorite team — of any sport — will get looks from friends when he chooses the NBA over other sports and activities. Eamer recently spent 17 days in Indianapolis to see his favorite team during a favorable homestand, catch a few Colts games, and to see the town showcased on FOX Sports Indiana television broadcasts. Unfortunately for him, many of the Pacers games were when Paul George sat out due to injury — and a Colts game where quarterback Andrew Luck was out. He already has tickets and plans to attend the Pacers’ game in London against the Denver Nuggets in January. Before he returned to England, we sat down in the Pacers gift shop to discuss the

Brooke Olzendam previously was the sideline reporter and host for Pacers games airing on FOX Sports Indiana. Her final season in Indianapolis was with the 2013-14 bunch that reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. She’s doing well, out west and closer to home. And, after two years as a reporter and host on Comcast SportsNet, the Portland Trail Blazers hired her last summer to team up with Kevin Calabro and Lamar Hurd for every Trail Blazers television broadcast on CSN NW. It was good to catch up with Brooke ahead of the Pacers and Trail Blazers playing twice over the next ten days. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * How’s life out west, and working for the Trail Blazers * Emotion seeing her former team in town * Working with Indy native Kevin Calabro * Early story lines for the Trail Blazers

Jason Smeathers is a basketball trainer with Rob Blackwell over at St. Vincent Sports Performance. They train professionals (both NBA and overseas guys), they train some still in college, and they work with youngsters to prepare them for the years ahead. Smeathers is a local product, a graduate from Center Grove High School. He then went on to play one year IUPUI — with George Hill providing the assist on obtaining a scholarship — and he finished his career at IPFW. He then played two years overseas, one year in Australia and the other in Canada. Now, he’s a keen observer of the NBA product — watching games nearly every night. Full disclosure: Smeathers and Blackwell train the likes of Hill, Gordon Hayward, Shayne Whittington, Brandon Rush, Carl Landry, Jeremy Evans, and Josh McRoberts. This was my longest podcast to date, and it felt like it flew by. I hope you enjoy our conversation on the 4-4 Pacers, defense, and the talent trained over at SVSP. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your que

Clark Kellogg, though a Cleveland native, spent much of his adulthood working in Indianapolis. He was drafted by the Indiana Pacers out of Ohio State University with the eighth overall selection in the 1982 draft. After he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in his rookie season, he was named to the All-Rookie First Team. He played five seasons in the NBA, but he knee injuries during the final two and it ultimately cut his professional career short. In 1993, he joined CBS as a college basketball analyst, a job he still holds today, and he worked on Pacers broadcasts. After 32 seasons with the franchise, Kellogg moved on in 2014. A co-recipient with Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Sports Corporation’s annual Pathfinder Award, Kellogg was back in Indianapolis on Friday. Prior to the luncheon, held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, Kellogg joined me to record a podcast. I hope that you enjoy it. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topi

With the Indiana Pacers’ 2016-17 season tipping off this week — at home, Oct. 26 against Dallas — it’s a good time to catch up with Todd Taylor, the Pacers’ Senior Vice President/Chief Sales & Marketing Officer. This is his sixth season with the franchise. Last year, he explained Hickory Nights, the process it took to make it happen, and what fans could expect. (Click here to listen to that podcast.) For Pacers Sports & Entertainment, it is a big season. It’s their 50th season, so it’s as much about enjoying the current team as it is looking back to celebrate the team’s history and the individuals who contributed to where they are today. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * Success of Hickory Nights * Decade games, and how they settled on each individual chosen for the bobbleheads * Fans’ ticket buying habits and secondary markets * New Lightbound Courtside Club, Sells Group Loft, and WaitTime app *

On the latest Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, I cover everything that has gone on at training camp. Head coach Nate McMillan is running his first training camp since 2011 — and the differences from last year to today have been evident from the beginning. Myles Turner and Paul George have missed time but there’s no reason to worry. There are, however, plenty of reasons to be excited about this team. (And it’s not just because the Colts are having a down year.) Faster play, less structure, more points, and more athleticism — just to name a few. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * Updates on FOX Sports Indiana broadcasts * Explanation of the Six Decade Games * Training Camp Injuries * What coach McMillan is asking of his team * A breakdown of all 16 players with guaranteed contracts

The job title changed for Nate McMillan on May 16th when Pacers President Larry Bird officially announced that McMillan would be the 15th head coach in franchise history. McMillan has a wealth of experience leading a team, a head coach for 930 (478-452) games over nearly 12 seasons for two different teams, and the 52-year-old brings an old-school approach. [VIDEO: McMillan on coaching additions, Niang, and goals for current Pacers] He joined the Pacers’ bench as Frank Vogel’s top assistant in 2013. He said at his opening press conference that he’s learned a lot since then. “I think my approach will be a little different than it was back in 2005. It seems like when I started with the Blazers was so long ago but things have changed. The players have changed. How you coached these plays has changed and I think the biggest thing is being able to adapt. “There is a lot of old-school in me and I won’t lose all of that. But I do understand that you do have to adapt to this generation of players. They call them the ‘

Larry Bird, the Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations, is like most of us and is looking forward to another NBA season. The Pacers finished with a 45-37 record last season, good for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. After losing in seven games in Round 1 to the Toronto Raptors, Bird began making significant changes to the team beginning with the promotion of Nate McMillan to head coach. At the Pacers Foundation’s annual golf outing, held at Brickyard Crossing Golf Club, Bird spoke with a few members of the media to discuss the upcoming 2016-17 season. Watch the full interview below:

When a Pacers player is dealing with discomfort or an injury, Josh Corbeil is who they contact. At practice or in a game, at home or in the middle of the night, Corbeil is essentially always on call. Corbeil, officially the Senior Director Medical Operations and Head Athletic Trainer, joined the Pacers in 2004. He took over for legendary athletic trainer David Craig. Since then, he has worked with four different head coaches: Rick Carlisle, Jim O’Brien, Frank Vogel, and now Nate McMillan. The Boston native holds a bacehlor’s degree in science, master’s in physical therapy, doctorate in physical therapy, and he is a licensed physical therapsist and athletic trainer. Corbeil, Associate Head Athletic Trainer Carl Eaton, and Director of Sports Performance Shawn Windle have a daily meeting each morning about the 15-man roster and what is going on with each player. One thing Corbeil and the training staff emphasize is prehab. That’s taking a focus in treating players daily in hopes of preventing an injury from happ

VigilantSports.com caught up with George Hill Thursday night, his final evening in Indianapolis. The point guard, who was traded to the Jazz in June, is headed to Utah to prepare for the upcoming 2016-17 NBA season with his new team. [As the Pacers move on from Hill, his love for Indy isn’t going anywhere.] In a one-on-one interview with the “Hometown Hero,” Hill shares his feelings about leaving town, a fresh start, how he spent his offseason, and his growing family. From July: George Hill discusses being traded, his relationship with Hayward, Lyles, and death to The Blonde Faze Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email.

He knows the X’s and O’s of all 30 NBA teams, is on the road over 200 days a year, and his work each season begins when the schedule is released, as it was on Aug. 11. Right then, he begins mapping out his plan, where he needs to be and how he’s going to get there. The entire process will take him into September, the final month of the NBA offseason. Jimmy Powell resides in Springfield, Massachusetts and he is entering his 19th season as the Pacers Advance Scout. He was originally hired by Donnie Walsh, his former coach, and it’s a job — breaking down every single opponent in the way each Pacers assistant coach prefers — that he is quite fond of. “People don’t understand, but I do because I’ve been in this league over 20 years. It all starts with the owner,” he tells me on the podcast. “When you got good ownership, you know there’s going to be stability, they’re always going to give you a chance to win, and they’re going to create a good environment.” The way in which he completes his job has changed and been

Yogi Ferrell is ready to begin the next phase of his life, as a professional. After four seasons in Bloomington, the Park Tudor and Indiana University graduate will head to Brooklyn to prepare for training camp near the end of August, one month before camp opens. Ferrell went through 16 pre-draft workouts but did not get drafted, although teams were interested in drafting and stashing him overseas. Instead, the 6-foot point guard elected to go the route of free agency. Ultimately, he signed a one-year non-guaranteed deal with the Brooklyn Nets with $100,000 guaranteed, per sources. It’s a good deal, and now he’ll work to prove worthy of a roster spot on a team that badly needs a spark to help propel the franchise up from the bottom of the standings. Yogi joined me in studio for an extensive conversation on hoops, his career at IU, looking ahead to the NBA, and more. [Yogi Ferrell has grown up and is leaving a lasting legacy at Indiana] Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your questions and co

CHICAGO, Ill. — Jalen Rose and two dozen students from the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy were in Chicago late last week for an experience of a lifetime. Jeep took care of their travel and then got them hooked up with tickets for Team USA’s exhibition game against Venezuela. Thursday afternoon, Rose was a man of the people — out at the Navy Pier for an event with Jeep. He later shot hoops while standing in the back of a Wrangler, competed against Pacers star and USA Basketball team member Paul George, and he certainly ensured that the kids and visitors had a good time. [Click here for a photo gallery] Prior to George arriving, I spent some time in Jalen’s green room where we talked about a number of subjects. Rose, who played five and a half seasons with the Pacers, is now a studio analyst for ESPN/ABC‘s coverage of the NBA. He also co-hosts a daily show on ESPN Radio. The @JRLADetroit Basketball Teams enjoying Chi-town from Willis Tower Sky Deck thanks to our amazing partner @Jeep! pic.twitter.com/YDADcYbFrC—

The annual Knox Indy Pro Am is set for another season of games, running Tuesday, July 26 through Sunday, August 7. The Indianapolis-based Pro Am typically goes on for several weeks but this year it will  be held on seven dates over a two-week period. Carlos Knox is the man behind the idea. A former pro overseas and standout at IUPUI — he’s in the IUPUI Athletics Hall of Fame — Knox created the Pro Am to give elite players an opportunity to compete with similar talent during the slow part of the year: The Offseason. The Knox Indy Pro Am is sanctioned by both the NCAA and the NBA, meaning athletes from both levels are eligible to compete. Three games will be held each night — 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 p.m. — and tickets are free. For the first time, it will be held at the new Jonathan Byrd Fieldhouse at Grand Park in Westfield. It’s a new, $8.1 million fieldhouse that is part of an estimated $50 million massive complex. The Fieldhouse alone has eight indoor basketball courts. Knox has already received commitments fr

ORLANDO, Fla. — After the Pacers played two Summer League games, they had the Fourth of July to themselves. Before relaxing and hanging out with friends, Glenn Robinson III met me in the hotel lobby to record this episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast. The Pacers signed Robinson III last season to a three-year deal with only a little more than one season guaranteed. The Gary, Indiana native and Michigan product has the athleticism and skill to be a rotational guy in the NBA, and for the 22-year-old it’s about becoming a well-rounded player. In the middle of the podcast, Kevin Durant announced his intention to sign with the Golden State Warriors — which allowed for a fun, live reaction from both Glenn and I. See Also: Glenn Robinson III coming into his own In this podcast, you’ll learn more about who he is, what makes him tick … and what he enjoys doing away from basketball. Thanks again to Glenn for joining the podcast. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your questions and comments @

Indiana’s own Jeff Teague returned home, officially introduced as a member of his hometown team Monday afternoon. A 2007 graduate of Pike High School, Teague is fired up to play home in Indianapolis. “I’ve always wanted to play for the Pacers,” Teague, 28, said at a press conference held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Listen to the 11-minute press conference, plus a nine-minute breakout session with a few other reporters below:

Three new Pacers sat at the table on the dais Friday afternoon, their first day in an official capacity with their new team. The Pacers acquired Thad Young in a draft-day trade with Brooklyn, signed Al Jefferson to a three-year deal in free agency, and then received Jeremy Evans in a trade with Dallas. [More on Jefferson with Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer] In addition to posing for photos with their new jerseys, the newest Pacers talked with the local media for the first time. Listen below to that press conference.

Pacers President Larry Bird and head coach Nate McMillan spoke with reporters Friday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. During the 23-minute press conference, the two discussed their offseason moves, the construction of the team, new pieces, and how they feel about the group going into the 2016-17 season.

ORLANDO, Fla. — So far in free agency, the Pacers have agreed to terms with one player, veteran big man Al Jefferson. He cannot make it official by signing this new three-year, $30 million deal until after the NBA moratorium on July 7th. To discuss Jefferson’s game, what he will add to the Pacers, and what kind of person he is, Scott Agness talks with Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer at the Orlando Summer League. He owns that beat and had a great relationship with Jefferson. The 12-year center from Mississippi has played three seasons with four teams each: Boston, Minnesota, Utah, Charlotte. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * The personality of Jefferson * Slimming down 20-plus pounds * The wear and tear on Al’s body * How he might fit in with the Pacers * So many Hornets players leaving for big free-agent deals