Fieldhouse Files: Scott Agness on the Indiana Pacers

Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard spoke with the media for more than 25 minutes Sunday afternoon before they hosted the New York Knicks.

Among the items discussed:

* Many players urging the front office to keep this group intact

* How they had three legitimate trade offers at the deadline

* Victor Oladipo exceeding all expectations

* Domantas Sabonis’ development

* Glenn Robinson III’s rehab and timeline to return

* High value of first-round picks

If you prefer to simply listen to Pritchard, you can do so below:

Edmond Sumner’s rookie season has been anything but typical for a first-year player in professional basketball. He suffered a torn ACL last year while at Xavier University, so most of 2017 was spent rehabbing and getting through the mental challenges of being away from the game he loves.

The Pacers acquired a second second-round pick on draft night and used the pick from New Orleans to select Sumner 52nd overall. Because of the injury, he was still around then.

Sumner became the first player in Pacers franchise history to be signed to a two-way contract, which allows him to be part of the Pacers and Mad Ants of the G League — and it prevents another NBA club from signing them to their roster like can be done for G League contracts.

Sumner returned to game action two weeks ago and has appeared in five games, though he is limited to about 15 minutes per game. He is averaging 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting nearly 42 percent from the field.

See Also: Sumner signs with new agent

It was good to catch up with the 22-year-old guard to discuss the highs and lows of his rookie season, plus how he’s getting along with the Mad Ants.

Looking forward to that 2018 return 👀 pic.twitter.com/paaLgWW0yO— Edmond Sumner (@EdmondSumner) December 31, 2017

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email.

Topics Discussed:

* The challenge of rehab and returning from injury

* Rookie duties

* His movie watching, and music preference before games

* Following his 20-3 Xavier Musketeers from afar

* Glenn Robinson III joining the Mad Ants for a game

Victor Oladipo’s phone buzzed Tuesday. It was Pacers President Kevin Pritchard, the executive who orchestrated the move that brought Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to Indy last summer.

He had the honor of alerting Oladipo that he was voted an All-Star reserve by NBA head coaches.

For the first time in his five years as a pro, he would participate in the game showcasing the world’s best basketball players.

“Fitting that he would call me first,” Oladipo said Wednesday morning. “It’s awesome. It was a great moment for me. It was just special, just hearing from him and hearing his words and everything like that was a special moment – something I’ll never forget.”

See Also: Oladipo’s teammates react to his All-Star selection

Watch his full comments below:

Damien Wilkins was released by the Pacers one week ago, just before his contract became guaranteed for the rest of the season. What he did, earning a roster spot, and the impact he was able to have with the Pacers in a little more than four months was special.

Here’s a sample from starting center Myles Turner on Wilkins no longer being on the team:

[sigh] “… That one hit me home a little bit. For him, it wasn’t like a surprise or a low blow, so I respect that from the organization, but as far as me and him – he just talked to me all year. He’s seen this game a lot over the past years. He just wants me to be the best version of myself I can be. A lot of that is just the mental aspect of it and that’s one thing he helped with me a lot.”

Wilkins turned 38 years old last Thursday, and more than half of the team made it to a surprise celebration.

His story is a good one, returning to the NBA for the first time since 2013 after stops in Beijing, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the G League. That last game in 2013, he got the start while with Philadelphia — and coincidentally it came at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against the Pacers.

Last Friday (Jan. 12), I sat down with Damien and his fiancé, Jasmine, for more than an hour to reflect on his time in Indy and his unique career path.

“It’s been crazy, man. But I wouldn’t write the story any different. If I had a chance to write it, I wouldn’t write it any different. And I feel like the past four years, being away from it, this year has made all of that worth it.

“The story is far from ending.”

In what may have been in final game with the Pacers, on January 6, 2018 against the Chicago Bulls, Wilkins started at the last minute and finished with a season-high 11 points and two rebounds in 22 minutes.

“This has been one of the best half years of my career. It has absolutely been amazing.”

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email.

Topics Discussed:

* Teammates surprising him at birthday party

* The awkwardness of knowing he was going to be waived — but none of his teammates did

* His impact on the locker room, and specifically on Myles Turner

* His Ray Allen story, and getting to the gym three hours early

* The strengths of playing for a coach who played in the NBA

* His experience playing overseas: in Beijing, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico

* Why he sits next to the coaches during games, and whether coaching or working in a front office is in his future

* What it meant to be a Pacer and play in Indianapolis [51:50]

* What’s next for him

Damien Wilkins knew his fate by 2:00 pm on Saturday, five hours before the Pacers faced the Chicago Bulls at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

What he didn’t know was that he would start in his final game with the team.

Bojan Bogdanovic was a late scratch due to a sprained left ankle and head coach Nate McMillan wanted Lance Stephenson to resume playing with the second unit again after he had started in place of an injured Victor Oladipo the past four games.

So Wilkins not only played in his final game with the Pacers, but he also started. It was his first start since 2013 — with the Philadelphia 76ers, in Indianapolis of all places.

Wilkins met with President Kevin Pritchard and General Manager Chad Buchanan after practice on Sunday. Then, after more than an hour, he met with reporters before taking the elevator down to the first floor of the St. Vincent Center and walking to his car.

“I knew yesterday what was happening so it was long day yesterday, as you can imagine, to find out that news before I get to the gym. … It turned out to be a great night for our team and for me personally, it was amazing. I didn’t want the game to end. I just wanted to keep playing. I wish we could still be playing that game right now.

“It’s the business of it. It’s the beast of it. I’m proud of myself, though. I told KP [Pacers President Kevin Pritchard], coach, and those guys that. Coming from where I came from, so many people told me that this wasn’t going to happen for me and it did. I proved a lot of people wrong and proved myself right. In just the short time that I’ve been here — it’s been the absolute best. I can’t even really put it into words.

“It’s been an unbelievable feeling to have the impact that my teammates tell me that I have on them in that locker room, to be able to go there and be effective on the floor in the time that I’ve gotten the minutes to play, it’s been an unbelievable journey.

“I don’t say that to say the journey is over with, because it’s going to hard for me to say that one day, but the reality is that it’s getting close. I definitely wanted to finish this year out playing — and that’s not over with yet so I’m encouraged.”

(Watch Wilkins’ full comments below. It’s worth your time.)

Wilkins, who signed a one-year deal worth $1,471,382, was waived by the Pacers Sunday after practice. He was only guaranteed $25,000 in training camp, earned a roster spot for opening day, and made it 39 games.

He did not take a moment to address his teammates but said Saturday was an emotional night for him, knowing that he was going to be released, and for the team, having lost their previous five games.

“I just wanted to relish in the moment. I didn’t even want to revisit it emotionally or mentally, or verbally for that matter.

“… Honestly, that was the easiest game that I’ve ever played because at that point you kind of knew your fate, right? It was no pressure. Like I said, I just didn’t want it to end. It was so poetic to find out that I was starting and no one even knew that I knew.”

Wilkins plans to call every single guy tonight.

[Damien Wilkins and his fiancé are expecting a baby boy in May.]

By waiving him, the Pacers now have flexibility with one roster spot open. They could sign a second two-way player, sign a free agent, acquire a player via trade, or sign someone to a 10-day contract.

Jason Lloyd is one of three beat reporters covering the Cleveland Cavaliers each day. Wherever they are, he is there as well writing the story of the day or an in-depth feature.

The Cavaliers, of course, are home to LeBron James, the best athlete in the world — meaning whatever James says will make headlines and be heavily consumed across a variety of platforms. After the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA Title, coming back from a 3-1 deficit, Lloyd was compelled to write a book on the title and what it took to make it happen – The Blueprint: LeBron James, Cleveland’s Deliverance, and the Making of the Modern NBA.

This past offseason, Lloyd made a move of his own from a traditional media outlet (Akron Beacon Journal) to a hot startup (The Athletic).

On this podcast, Lloyd talked about his experience covering James and the Cavaliers, and his process to write the book.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email.

Topics Discussed:

* Covering three-time NBA Champion and 14-time All-Star LeBron James

* James’ activity on social media and on social issues

* Moving to The Athletic and their different outlook on stories

* Writing the book and how he managed to find time away from the beat

Hosting a second NBA All-Star game has been years in the making for city and Indiana Pacers officials alike.

They’ve sent many representatives to the last several All-Star Weekends, Toronto in 2016 and New Orleans in 2017. With the support of owner Herb Simon, the city submitted its bid in style — Larry Bird rode an IndyCar in New York City — back in April.

The announcement that Indianapolis will host the 2021 NBA All-Star Game was made official at a Wednesday afternoon press conference held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, and team executives.

“We can’t be more excited about it,” said Rick Fuson, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, told VigilantSports.com. “We’ve been talking to Herb about this for over two years. The bid process took almost a year, then we went to the NBA and turned our bid in in April.

“It’s just a great day. To be able to bring an event that has over a $100 million impact for the city and the state, to bring an event that is worldwide — it’s just not national. There’s 1.5 billion NBA television (viewers) across the world. It’s amazing that we will have this opportunity to have the game here.”

The 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans reached more than 200 countries and territories in 40 different languages. Thousands of media members will gather in Central Indiana.

Indianapolis last hosted the game in 1985, and Fuson was an operational person for the Pacers then. The NBA’s third-annual All-Star Game, in 1953, was held in Indiana at the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne.

Next Four Hosts:

2018: Los Angeles

2019: Charlotte

2020: Chicago

2021: Indianapolis

Herb Simon, who is 83 years old, is the longest-tenured owner in the league. Herb and his late brother, Mel, purchased the team in 1983.

He has since added three franchises to the Pacers Sports & Entertainment umbrella: the Indiana Fever of the WNBA, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League, and Pacers Gaming of the NBA2KLeague. On top of that, they opened The St. Vincent Center, a $50 million (privately financed) facility in the fall.

He’ll eventually pass the team down to his son, Stephen, but helping Indy land another All-Star game is just another example of Simon’s passion for this state.

“We have some very good owners in our league but Herb, I don’t think there’s anybody better,” Fuson said. “He cares about our city, he cares about our state, he cares about his people, he really cares about bringing this here.

“We talked about (hosting) a number of times over the years and it just wasn’t the right time. The thing about this, we’re in our 19th season now at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and we haven’t had an All-Star Game. That’s okay, though, because this building has seasoned so well and by the time we have it in 2021, I think people will continue to think it’s the best basketball facility any place.

“He’s excited about it.”

All-Star Weekend has become a spectacle with so much going on outside of the events. League partners like Nike, Gatorade, and JBL will almost certainly rent out space in the city to entertain and host events. There will live music, entertainment, and perhaps even a fashion show.

Paul George is back in Indianapolis and tonight will sit on the opposing bench for the first time. The Pacers (16-11), winners of four in a row, host the 12-14 Oklahoma City Thunder, who have yet to hit their stride this season.

This will be George’s first game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse since informing Pacers officials that he would not be back for the 2018-19 season. He has that ability because he negotiated to have a player option in his contract that he signed back in 2013.

Wednesday’s game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

VIDEO: Pacers coach Nate McMillan, player discuss facing Paul George

After morning shootaround, George spoke to reporters for five minutes. Watch his full comments below:

Transcript:

What was it like to walk in here?

It was great, good memories here.

Was it bizarre visiting the visiting locker room for a change here?

I didn’t know [know where it was]. Honestly I didn’t. This was a different feel but it’s just thinking about tonight.

You’ve gone through this before with Lance Stephenson and other guys. What are you expecting?

More so it’s just on us. We just got to play some good basketball aside from what the atmosphere is going to be like. It’s about our team and how we’re going to get better and how we can come on the road and start this road trip off right.

A lot of emotions come with returning to a city where you spent a lot of your career here?

Good emotions. I got a chance to see a lot people yesterday when we got in and just be around people that I’ve talked to, I’ve been around, I’ve grown up around here. So it was great. It was great reception coming here.

What do you anticipate to see and hear from the crowd when you walk in?

I’m in comfort zone when I’m on the court. I might be nervous off the court being booed, but being on the court is my comfort zone. It’s basketball, it’s what I do. I’m not losing sleep over it. I’m living my dream getting to play in the NBA and getting to play basketball so if I get booed, I get booed. It’s part of the game. It will make for a good show and I’m looking forward to it. On ESPN.

What impresses you about what the Pacers have done?

They’re playing well. It’s no beating around it. They’re playing well, a young team. I think one of the best things is their ability to push it having so many ball handlers. They’re good. I can see the improvement in Myles [Turner], where he’s taken his game. He’s a lot more poised. Vic has been phenomenal here.

And I would like to piggy-back on what Vic said, in terms of being compared to me. I don’t think you guys (media) or Indiana in general is giving him the respect. I’m done. I’m over with. I moved on, and it’s Vic time. He’s doing great here.

Did you get the closure you needed or wanted?

Yeah, yeah I did. It was more so of Indiana doing well, where they’re at now. That was closure for me. At the end of the day, when we reached out to the front office to tell them our future plans, it was to help them along the way. It was bad at first, so to speak, that they thought this trade wasn’t going to pan out, but it obviously did.

They got two great, young pieces so that was good for me to see that this franchise changed the locker room and is going in the right direction.

Were you upset with the comparisons (between yourself and Oladipo)?

Yeah, it’s not right. Vic has worked extremely hard on his game. He’s worked extremely hard to get to the point where he’s at. He was great coming into this league and he’s only been mentored by great people, playing with Russ. Now this is his opportunity to lead a team and he’s being compared to somebody that he was traded for. This is his team. Let him lead and led him start this era on good terms. From what it sounds like,

Scot Pollard played in the NBA for five teams over 11 seasons, spanning 1997 through 2008. In his final season, he won a NBA championship with the Boston Celtics.

Pollard, 42, lives in Indianapolis and has had no trouble filling the void that is left after basketball. He has dabbled in comedy and will soon launch his own podcast, Planet Pollard.

We cover it all in this hour-long conversation. I think you’ll really enjoy hearing from the always entertaining Pollard. He does not disappoint.

[Pollard previously appeared on the podcast to discuss his experience on CBS’ Survivor]

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email.

Topics Discussed:

* How he’s staying busy after basketball

* Getting involved in comedy shows

* Why athletes are terrible gamblers

* Whether he considers himself most a part of one franchise

* Why his three seasons with the Pacers (2003-06) were a disappointment

* How players handle injuries

* Chemistry within locker rooms and politicizing in sports

* What’s clicked for the Pacers 20-plus games in…

* Domantas Sabonis’ contributions and his natural ability

* How the center position has changed

* Launching his own podcast, Planet Pollard

Kelli Towles is in her 24th year with the Indiana Pacers heading up the community relations department. She is in charge of community outreach, and involving the players to positively impact Central Indiana.

There are NBA initiatives, such as Jr. NBA Week and Hoops For Troops, and then there are dozen of events unique to the Pacers.

Towles and her team — which includes Darnell “Dr. Dunk” Hillman, Richie Smith, Bobbi Courtright, and Kristina Wedseltoft — field requests, find the right locations and groups to take care of, and then execute the vision.

With Thanksgiving coming up on Thursday, Towles is the perfect guest to discuss how the Pacers are giving back and making a positive impact on the community.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email.

Topics Discussed:

* Her start with the franchise and learning through an internship with the team

* The success of Read Like a Pro

* Victor Oladipo and Glenn Robinson III pitching an idea and the execution

* Their signature event – “Come To Our House Thanksgiving Dinner,” this year hosted by Al Jefferson and Thad Young.

* How she learns about new incoming Pacers through their previous teams’ community relations department

* The Sideline Soldiers program and Tyler Hansbrough’s influence