Fieldhouse Files: Scott Agness on the Indiana Pacers

The Pacers got contributions from all over to beat the Hornets 144-117 and keep their season alive. They play the Wizards Thursday at 8pm; it's their third meeting in 18 days. I talked about the Pacers' play-in victory and then looked ahead to Thursday's elimination game with Fred Katz, Wizards beat reporter for The Athletic. (The winner becomes the 8-seed and faces the 76ers.)

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The Pacers (34-38) finished one game ahead of the Hornets (33-39) and thus host their play-in game Tuesday at 6:30pm ET. The Pacers' injury list is long and they went 1-2 vs the Hornets this season. Rod Boone covers them for SI and joined me to look ahead to this must-win game.

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Tamika Catchings had a remarkable basketball career, winning at every level. She's a first ballot Hall of Famer. She played her entire professional career with the Fever and has called Indianapolis home since being drafted by the team in 2001. On this podcast, I go 1-on-1 with Catch before enshrinement weekend in Connecticut, the influence of her presenters (Alonzo Mourning and Dawn Staley), what she's most proud of — and a couple of stories from my time working with her.

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Pat Boylan is in his seventh season on the Pacers Radio Network, serving as the sideline reporter and studio host. We discussed how our jobs in media are different this season due to the pandemic, the passing of Hall of Famer Slick Leonard, filling in for Mark Boyle on play-by-play and how Pacers broadcasters started their own gameday shootaround.

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The Pacers are 27-31 and on the outside of the playoff picture with 14 games remaining. Injuries are piling up, they're getting handled in 4th quarters and the team is underachieving. Derek Schultz, co-host of "Query & Schultz," joins me to discuss their relevance locally and the challenge to even watch games, the offseason coaching change and then Derek shares why they can't simply run it back next year.

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David Craig knows Slick Leonard better than most. He was the Pacers athletic trainer for 35 years and while Slick was the coach, they were roommates on the road. Craig shares stories of Slick, how he gave money to those in need, how he was fiery during games and then required players to stop by The Pub after games. You'll enjoy this one...

Click here for my breaking news story on him passing.

And here's how the Pacers honored him at the game that night.

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Indiana lost an icon Tuesday morning. Bobby "Slick" Leonard passed away in his sleep; he was 88. He lived a joyful, fulfilling life with his wife Nancy by his side for 66 years. ... I'll share my thoughts, a few highlights from my interviews with him and then Mark Montieth joins for an in-depth conversation on Slick, who was beloved by all.

Click here for my breaking news story on him passing.

And here's how the Pacers honored him at the game that night.

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Bankers Life Fieldhouse hosted 43 games in 40 days, and Indianapolis served as the only host of the entire NCAA men's basketball tournament. Chris Gahl is the Senior VP of Marketing & Communications with Visit Indy, an organization tasked with bringing events to town. Gahl discusses how the city is coming alive again, being the envy of other cities that see how Indy is getting it done, shifting the NBA All-Star game to 2024 and renovations to The Fieldhouse.

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Butler basketball coach LaVall Jordan coached Caris LeVert for four seasons while an assistant coach at the University of Michigan (2012-16). Jordan discusses UM getting in late with LeVert, how he developed into one of the best players in the country and simply loves to hoop. We also touched on these unusual times — which doesn't allow for LeVert to visit Butler practice or for them to even hang out. But they are now in the same city and continue to talk frequently.

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Pacers rookie Cassius Stanley is one of three contestants in the 2021 All-Star slam dunk contest in Atlanta and the first-ever player invited who's on a two-way contract. He's spent the five weeks away from the Pacers in the G League bubble. He discusses the invitation, weighing the pros and cons, reaching out to two former Pacers who were in the event, his passion for the dunk contest and how he's preparing for his time in the spotlight — which will be seen by millions in more than 215 countries worldwide. (2:35)

Then, I catch up with Mad Ants GM Brian Levy from inside the bubble after they wrapped up the 15-game regular season, going 6-9 and missing the postseason. (18:44)

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