Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast

Nate Taylor is a fresh voice now covering the Indiana Pacers. His first day with the Indianapolis Star was in September at Pacers training camp. Taylor, a graduate of the University of Central Missouri, previously was a do-it-all journalist for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He is married and has an infant son, Hayden. This week on the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, I talk with Taylor, who offers a fresh perspective on the Pacers with the 2015-16 season halfway over. The Pacers are 22-19, on pace to finish with a 44-18 record, good for seventh in the Eastern Conference. Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher. Topics Discussed: * Nate’s passion for journalism and reporting * His impressions of the organization * How the team’s November success may have been a bad thing * His interview with Pacers President Larry Bird * Picking one: Small ball or a traditional lineup * How the Pacers have squandered at least six lossees * The rookies, Myles Turner and Joe Young, earning playing time * Paul

This week on the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, I’m joined by Mark Montieth, who has covered the Pacers for decades — first for the Indianapolis Star and for Pacers.com since 2012. [The podcast is now on iTunes, so subscribe today so that the latest episode will download automatically.] Topics Discussed: * Early season success * Ian Mahinmi’s growth … an Hack-a-Ian * Luis Scola * Paul George elevating his game * The young guys * How Myles Turner can impact the team once returning * Can any team dethrone Cleveland in the East * Breaking ground on the St. Vincent Center * A new project of his

Jeremiah Johnson is in his third season covering the Pacers for FOX Sports Indiana, and his second as the sideline reporter and host. Johnson, a Ball State graduate, joined the podcast from his hotel room in Los Angeles. [The podcast is now on iTunes, so subscribe today so that the latest episode will download automatically.] Topics Discussed: * On the work that goes into each broadcast, meetings, and information gathering process * What he believes is the most important job of a sideline reporter * His career aspirations as a kid, attending Ball State University and being Charlie Cardinal (the mascot) * How his job impacts his time with family * Roy Hibbert facing the Pacers for the first time * Kobe announcing his retirement prior to facing the Pacers * The Pacers winning 11 of their last 13 games and chemistry being strong * His favorite arenas to visit

Quinn Buckner was a spectacular athlete. He was a two-sport athlete at Indiana University, part of the 1976 undefeated team, and is one of three individuals to have a championship at every level. This weekend, with family and friends sharing in the celebration, Buckner will be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City, Missouri. The ceremony will be emceed by Clark Kellogg, formerly of the Pacers, and Doug Gottlieb. “As you move along this pendulum of life, it’s about memorable moments,” Buckner said about about this upcoming weekend. “And this will be one of the most memorable moments I’ve ever had athletically.” [The podcast is now on iTunes, so subscribe today so that the latest episode will download automatically.] Topics Discussed: * What he expects this weekend to be like for him, and who will be there * Why he attended Indiana University * Why he chose basketball over football after two seasons * Where he got his hard-nosed mentality and tenacity from * Why he looks

A new podcast is up! It’s a busy time of year so this time, Scott Agness goes solo. After the Pacers started the season 0-3, they have since gone 5-1 (with their only loss being to the Cleveland Cavaliers by four points). [The podcast is now on iTunes so subscribe today so that the latest episode will download automatically.] Topics Discussed: * How the team bounced back from a bad first week * Paul George returning to form * George Hill’s role and how comfortable he has been from the left corner * Rookie Myles Turner’s thumb fracture and how time off the court can help * Quick look around the lead * Shoutouts

The Indiana Pacers unveiled their NBA “Pride” uniform this fall, one that uniquely connects with the community. (Best of all, it’s not a sleeved jersey like most of the “Pride” uniforms around the league.) Several team execs gathered in a room nearly two years ago to brainstorm, and they came to an agreement on Hickory uniforms from the movie “Hoosiers.” When doing their research, they found out that next year — 2016 — will be the 30th anniversary since the movie was released. Perfect, right? On Friday (Nov. 6), the Pacers will wear their Hickory uniforms for the first time against the Miami Heat. It is also their first nationally televised game (ESPN) of the season. The organization and MGM Studios came to a five-year licensing agreement and this season, the team will wear the uniforms in ten games, six at home. And, at those six home games, the team will celebrate and honor teams or individuals in this state that made a substantial impact. In addition, Bankers Life Fieldhouse will be dressed up for all six

A new episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast is here just in time for the season opener — Wednesday night in Toronto. You’ll be watching on FOX Sports Indiana, who plans to televise all 82 regular season games for the first time ever. You know Chris Denari (10th), Quinn Buckner (17th), and Jeremiah Johnson (2nd), but you don’t know Max Leinwand. Why would you — he’s new to town! You appreciate the work they all do on game broadcasts — one of the best in the league, in my opinion — and on this podcast you’ll hear Leinwand’s story and how he joined the broadcast team. Leinwand, who has been employed by FOX Sports Midwest since September of 2005, is the new producer for Pacers broadcasts which means it is his job to cover and share the Pacers’ story all season long. I spoke with Leinwand Tuesday before he met the team at the airport for Game No. 1. Topics Discussed: * His career path from New Jersey to St. Louis * How he has a history of overseeing Pacers broadcasts for FSI * FOX’s priorities for game br

Brian Levy is just 31 years old but he’s now tasked with running the basketball division of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA’s Developmental League. Exactly one month ago, the Indiana Pacers finalized a deal to purchase the Mad Ants and thus have a one-to-one affiliation. For the past five years, Levy was with the Bakersfield Jam, the Phoenix Suns’ affiliate. There, he held a number of titles: video coordinator, director of player personnel, and, for the past three years, assistant GM. [Click here to follow Brian on Twitter] It’ll be real interesting to see how the Pacers utilize the D-League and how they use the Mad Ants as an asset. With so many young players, several guys — like Glenn Robinson III, Rakeem Christmas — will be sent up to Fort Wayne for playing time and development. [Pacers conclude exhibition schedule Oct. 22 in Fort Wayne against Cody Zeller and the Charlotte Hornets] Topics Discussed: * Getting his hands dirty in the D-League * How he was hired by the Pacers * The future of the NBA and

MINNEAPOLIS — As you may know, I recently started a Pacers Podcast. Well, covering the WNBA Finals I thought it was appropriate to put together a Fever episode. [VIDEO: Stephanie White talks with the media ahead of Game 2] The Fever were victorious in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, 75-69. At Monday’s media availability, I spoke with Briann January, Tamika Catchings, coaches Stephanie White and Gary Kloppenburg of the Indiana Fever, and Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx. [January’s best-ever performance leads Fever to Game 1 win] Topics Discussed: * January’s starring role in Game 1 * Fever team chemistry * Importance of enjoying the Finals * What the Lynx need to do better in Game 2 * Moore’s admiration for Catchings * Catchings’ two critical steals * White de-emphasizing statistics * Kloppenburg back working for the team The series continues Tuesday night at the Target Center (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

The Pacers opened training camp for the 2015-16 season on Tuesday and will have had three two-a-days by week’s end. I spoke with three players — rookie Joe Young, second-year big man Shayne Whittington, and  Jordan Hill — with different perspectives about camp. Topics Discussed: * Joe Young’s heart and passion for the game * Young’s motivation, plus his goal to be Rookie of the Year * Shayne Whittington on being healthy and the big man battle * Whittington’s typical off-day and his favorite restaurants around Indy * Jordan Hill’s transition to a new team and the competition up front * Fatigue setting in I welcome all feedback: @ScottAgness on Twitter or Scott@VigilantSports.com.

The first episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast is here… Topics Discussed: * The Pacers busy “off”season * Asset building * Paul George at power forward * Tracking 10 storylines as camp opens. I appreciate you taking the time to listen. I welcome all feedback: @ScottAgness on Twitter or Scott@VigilantSports.com. Enjoy!