Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast

Fresh off a media blitz earlier in the week with USA Basketball as the 12-man roster was announced, Paul George was back in Indianapolis. The three-time NBA All-Star has about three weeks before he’ll head west to Las Vegas, on July 17, for Training Camp followed by five exhibition games. Then, they’ll travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 2016 Olympic Games (Aug. 6-21). George explained how he got a phone call about two weeks ago from Coach K, and that’s when he committed. “I always wanted to do this,” he said Wednesday. “This is a dream of mine, to compete for the country. I was pretty excited to join up. “… I think this just completes the story. Winning the gold medal definitely completes the story.” More on PG in the Olympics: * FIRST LOOK: Paul George in his PG-13 Team USA uniform * George among 12 named to 2016 USA Olympic Team * PG included in new Gatorade ad campaign, to be featured on bottles in USA uniform * Why Jeep tapped George to be the face of their summer campaign * PG to grace the cover

Georges Niang arrived in Indianapolis on Tuesday, eager to join the Pacers. Before taking part in practice No. 1 with the Summer League team, Niang, who the Pacers selected 50th overall in last week’s draft, addressed the local media.

With the 50th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Pacers selected forward Georges Niang from Iowa State University. He’s a four-year player with a coach-like mentality for the game. On this special episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, Iowa State University head basketball coach Steve Prohm joins to discuss Prohm’s game and his potential in the best league in the world. “I don’t think he could go to a better place,” Prohm said on the podcast. Standing 6-8 and weighing in at 231, Niang is a versatile player with quality shot. The Pacers hope he can play the spread four position that they’ve needed for quite some time. In his senior season at ISU, Niang averaged 20.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He is a Iowa State’s all-time winningest player, a two-time All-American, and the recipient of the Karl Malone Award given to the nation’s top post player. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * G

The Pacers traded away their first pick for Thad Young, and then later Thursday used their only selection in the 2016 NBA Draft to take forward Georges Niang out of Iowa State University with the 50th pick. Once the draft concluded, Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard discussed the draft and the team’s selection of Niang with reporters.

When I first started this podcast last fall, covering all things Pacers, Tambra Brenner was one of several individuals — beyond the coaches and players — at Pacers Sports & Entertainment I thought fans would enjoy hearing from. Brenner is the travel specialist at PS&E. Her primary responsibilities include managing the travel for the 10 scouts or so employed by the team. Most of them typically spend more than 220 days on the road and Brenner can help ease that challenge and hopefully make it a smooth process. She also manages the travel for any guys the Pacers bring in, like the draft hopefuls. Over the last month and a half, she’s booked flights and hotels for nearly 50 prospects. There is also free-agent camp, Summer League, and signings come free agency in July. Meantime, scouting is a 365-day job so once the draft is over, they’re continuing their research and evaluation for future years. I hope that you enjoy this unique interview. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the p

It’s been exactly one month since Nate McMillan was promoted to Pacers head coach by President Larry Bird. And he has certainly stayed busy. On this special episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, Scott Agness sits down with coach McMillan to discuss his first 30 days, observing draft workouts, and organizing his team the way he wants it. From the day he was hired, May 16: Pacers go old-school, seek accountability in promoting Nate McMillan to head coach McMillan, a former NBA player for 12 seasons with the Seattle Super Sonics, has coached 930 games and served as an assistant coach with USA Basketball for seven years. He spent the last three years as Frank Vogel’s top assistant in Indiana. McMillan is keeping assistants Dan Burke and Popeye Jones on staff and he will soon add his third — and final — assistant. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.) I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: *

On this week’s episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, I’m joined by a familiar name in Central Indiana Sports: Tom Pritchard. Pritchard played basketball at Indiana University from 2008-12. He was not only part of that special game where IU knocked off No. 1 and previously unbeaten Kentucky at Assembly Hall, but he was also one of the original recruits in 2008 who remained committed despite a coaching change. Oh, and his put-back jam on Minnesota is one for the highlight reel. After playing in Bloomington, Pritchard joined the Pacers in the consumer sales department. In May, after three years of ticket sales, he made the decision to leave that job to pursue a job back on the court … in coaching. Excited to begin a new journey to pursue my dream job in college coaching! Looking forward to getting on the court coaching Summer camps.— Tom Pritchard (@CoachTPritchard) May 11, 2016 Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.) I welcome your questions and

Less than one month out from the 2016 NBA Draft, there’s no better time to talk with a longtime NBA scout about the job, sacrifices required, and how one can improve in their player evaluations. Pete Philo has worked for three NBA teams spanning 13 years. Most recently, he was the Pacers Director of International Scouting for almost three years. Prior to that, he worked in the front offices of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks. [Pete Philo leaves Pacers scouting department] Philo’s job required him to travel the world, spending more than 200 days each year on the road. It also was critical that he developed strong relationships with key resources overseas. Philo’s now dedicating his time to TPG Sports Group, an organization for which he’s the owner and president. And one of their biggest projects each year has been the Pro Scout School, held annually in Las Vegas for aspiring front office personnel. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a revi

We have a lot to get to on this week’s episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast. The Pacers’ season is over and President Larry Bird made a coaching change, promoting Nate McMillan to the top chair. The team evaluated over 60 players at the NBA Draft Combine and then they have already conducted two pre-draft workouts. Chris Denari just completed his 10th season as the Television Voice of the Pacers on FOX Sports Indiana. He’s called games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for over a decade as the Voice of the Indiana Fever from the beginning. Denari also does freelance work for the Big Ten Network and the IMS Radio Network. He is a tireless worker who truly loves his craft. We’ll get into all of that as well. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.) I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * Pacers 2015-16 season, ending in seven games to Toronto * Paul George’ undereappreciated story * Larry Bird’s de

Nate McMillan, on Frank Vogel’s staff for the last three seasons as associate head coach, was introduced as the Indiana Pacers’ 15th head coach in franchise history at a press conference on Monday afternoon. [Pacers go old school, seek accountability in promoting McMillan to head coach] The press conference with McMillan and President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird lasted nearly 30 minutes. Here is the full audio. (Or, click here to watch it.)

The Pacers — more specifically, Larry Bird — are in search of the 15th coach in franchise history. The coaching search is five-plus days in and there hasn’t been any names tied to the jobs. There are dozens of names of former head coaches that are mentioned with the Pacers, but Bird is diligent in the process and very likely has zeroed in on the next guy he wants to direct the team. [Paul George thanks Frank Vogel, calls him ‘one of the most influential men’ in his life] Three possible candidates that have been mentioned in the lists are Brian Shaw, the Pacers associate head coach from 2011-13, Jeff Hornacek, and veteran coach Mike D’Antoni. To learn more about each of their coaching styles and how they might work with the Pacers, I reached out to two reporters who cover NBA teams regularly. First, Jeff Morton in Denver. He writes for DenverStiffs.com and co-hosts the Colorado Sports Guys podcast. Morton provides terrific insight into what went wrong with Shaw and the Nuggets and why that marriage didn’t even

The Pacers 2015-16 season is complete after a first-round exit to the Toronto Raptors in Game 7. A few days later, Pacers President Larry Bird decided to change head coaches after Frank Vogel led this team for five and half seasons. On this week’s podcast, hear highlights of what Bird said at his 23-minute press conference and I’m joined by Bob Kravitz to break it all down. Kravitz, who has been here for over a decade, has a great pulse on the Indianapolis sports landscape. He’s currently a sports columnist for WTHR.com and he frequently appears on the network for his opinion and insight. [Frank Vogel releases statement on his time with the Pacers] Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.) I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * On how much blame Bird deserves for the Pacers’ season * If Bird is misguided in believing players tune coaches out after three seasons * Bird informing Vogel he was done …

There’s plenty to talk about now five games into the Pacers’ first-round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors. On this week’s episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com joins to analyze the series and the Pacers’ big collapse in the fourth quarter of Game 5 that cost them a lead in the series. Mazzeo has been covering the series from the Raptors’ perspective. During the regular season, he’s a beat reporter covering the 21-win Brooklyn Nets. That said, there’s no doubt he’s having a good time covering a series between two quality teams. With Game 6 set for 7:30 pm ET, the Pacers face elimination down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. See Also: ESPNEWS to televise its first live NBA Playoff game Friday: Pacers-Raptors Game 6 Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.) I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * His expectations entering the series * If the players feel the

On this week’s episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, Scott Agness covers the Pacers’ first-round series against the Toronto Raptors. As of the recording, the Raptors have a 2-1 lead on the series. Scott talks with Luis Scola about facing his former team and then dives deep into the series with NBA.com’s John Schuhmann. See Also: 2016 NBA Playoffs: Pacers-Raptors Round 1 dates set Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.) I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * Scola on Paul George and Jonas Valanciunas’ impact * Schuhmann on his focus in analyzing the numbers, like plus/minus * The impact of Toronto’s bench in the series * What gaps the Pacers need to fill this offseason * The challenges of being a head coach * The lack of competitive games in the NBA Playoffs so far

Ahead of the Indiana Pacers’ first-round playoff series, Michael Grange of Rogers SportsNet joins Scott Agness on the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast to offer insight from the Toronto perspective. The Pacers are in the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons, this year as the No. 7 seed. The Raptors, winners of 56 games, are having the best season in its franchise’s 21-year history. But they have only won one playoff series. [Click here to read Grange’s stories on SportsNet.] An interesting nugget about the teams’ benches: Pacers head coach Frank Vogel, the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month in April, is the fourth-longest tenured head coach in the NBA having been with the Pacers for six seasons. Raptors coach Dwane Casey, in his fifth season, is No. 5. The best-of-seven series begins at 12:30 pm ET on Saturday, April 16th at the Air Canada Centre and then it will move to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4 on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. See Also: 2016 NBA Playoffs: Pacers-Raptors Round 1 dates set S

This week on the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, Matt Dollinger of SI.com joins to discuss the push to the playoffs, the Pacers’ season, and big storylines around the NBA. Dollinger, who has worked at SI since 2010, is an Indiana native and a graduate of Indiana University. Also, hear from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. He was at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday for the NCAA Women’s National Title game, seated beside NCAA President Mark Emmert. Silver discusses his visit to town and his message to several Pacers execs regarding the possibility of Indy hosting an NBA All-Star game. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, please — pretty, pretty please — fill out a review.) I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * Dollinger on his role at SI and covering the NBA * Attending the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference * The use of biomechanics and wearable technology in the NBA * Kobe’s farewell tour dragging on * The Warriors and the all-time regular-se

On this week’s episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, I go one-on-one with the best interview in the Pacers locker room, C.J. Miles … and I talk to the Bad Boy himself, Rick Mahorn. With the Pacers’ season wrapping up, it’s a good time to have two individuals on to offer their perspective as a current and former player. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, please — pretty, pretty please — fill out a review.) I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. Topics Discussed: * C.J. on how difficult it is to face the Philadelphia ‘Tanking’ 76ers * Health-wise, if he’s where he wants to be this time of year * Having not attended college, who he roots for in the NCAA Tournament * Rick on the landscape of the Eastern Conference * Whether he’d prefer to face the Cavaliers or the Raptors in the playoffs * And lastly, on his battles with Larry Bird

This week on the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, I’m joined by two special guests: Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Rick Fuson and Fever star Tamika Catchings. The Pacers and the city of Indianapolis would like to host NBA All-Star Weekend, and so Fuson, along with several other city officials, traveled to the 2016 NBA All-Star game across the border in Toronto last month to take notes and see what exactly it would take to do so. Catchings, meanwhile, has a schedule that nobody could keep track of without a calendar (and maybe even an assistant). She got married, participated in All-Star Weekend, then had USA Basketball Camp, and now is on a book tour as her autobiography hit stores on March 1. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. I hope that you enjoy this week’s podcast. My thanks to DJ Bandcamp for contributing music to take the podcast to another level. I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter. Fuson begins at 2:19, Catchings at 25:39. Topics Discussed: * Why the Pac

Scot Pollard played in the NBA for 11 seasons, including three for the Pacers, and he won an NBA Championship in his final season, 2008, while with the Boston Celtics. He’s on the latest season of Survivor, which currently airs at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS. The group of 18 is gone for seven weeks and isolated on Kaoh Rong, the second largest island of Cambodia. The lone survivor wins a grand prize of $1 million. Pollard, 41, has always been up for a challenge. At 6-foot-11 he’s obviously long, and being a professional athlete for more than a decade taught him all kinds of lessons. He’s mentally strong and wanted to test his strength. And his time away led him to having a child on the way with his wife, Dawn. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher. Topics Discussed: * Why he wanted to be a contestant * How he declined his first invitation to be on the show * What life was like for him on this island in Southeast Asia * How real this reality TV show truly is * What, if any, interaction he had with

NBA executives were busy this week in the final days leading up the Trade Deadline at 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday. Most teams remained out of it, including the Pacers (28-25). They decided their best option was to not pull the trigger on any trade. In this episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, I give you my take on what did — and didn’t — go down before the deadline. Plus, I talk with one member of the Pacers’ four-headed monster: Peter Dinwiddie, Vice President of Basketball Operations. Dinwiddie, a Cathedral High School graduate, has a law degree from New England Law and has been with the Pacers for a decade. I also talk with former Nets assistant GM Bobby Marks, who’s now with The Vertical. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher. Topics Discussed: * Why the Trade Deadline was quiet * Why we hear so little about the Pacers trade interest * Lance Stephenson being moved to Memphis * What the Trade Deadline is like for NBA execs * How the St. Vincent Center will help the team * What’s