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 questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email.

Topics Discussed:

* Pacers’ 4-4 start

* Issues on defense, where they’re last in field goal percentage defense

* The importance of judging teams 10 games at a time

* Developing pro players like Gordon Hayward and George Hill

* Daily conversation with pros and goals for each individual