Fieldhouse Files: Scott Agness on the Indiana Pacers

This is part II of my conversation with Mark Montieth, who has covered the Indiana Pacers for several decades.

[Part I – On the Pacers’ encouraging start to the 2017-18 season]

Mark recently published “Reborn: The Pacers and the Return of Pro Basketball to Indianapolis” — and it’s a book I recommend for hoops fans in our great state of Indiana. This book documents the challenges for pro basketball to be sustainable in Indiana and the great lengths a group of people went to get it.

In this well-researched book, he shares all kinds of facts, photos, and nuggets long before the Pacers existed. This is what led to the ABA Pacers, in fact. We’ll also got into his writing process, being self-published, and how sharp it turned out.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

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

Topics Discussed:

* Why he was compelled to tell this story

* Media access then vs. today

* The ongoing theme of attendance being shared and the thirst for hoops

* How his research spanned several decades and what went into writing this story

* The journey of self-publishing, and visiting the factory

* Whether he plans to write more on pro basketball in Indy

The Pacers are off to a 5-3 start, winners in three consecutive games. They posted wins over San Antonio and Cleveland this week, and newcomer Victor Oladipo was rewarded for his impressive start with the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week award.

Mark Montieth has been on the Pacers’ beat for more than a dozen years, and we sat down for an extensive conversation on what we’ve observed thus far.

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

Topics Discussed:

* The Pacers’ rebranding

* Domantas Sabonis’ natural skills

* A slow start for Lance Stephenson

* Why Oladipo has excelled

Reunion week continues for the Pacers.

On the second night of back-to-back – after handling the Minnesota Timberwolves (with Jeff Teague and Aaron Brooks) – the Pacers should be fired up as they face Paul George for the first time since dealing him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in late June.

George, through his agent, informed Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard that he would not be re-signing with the organization that drafted him in 2010 following this season, and would instead opt for free agency. That was a classy gesture. However, word spread across the league that he was determined to play for his hometown team, the Los Angeles — which diminished his trade value.

Just six players are back from last year’s roster, headlined by Myles Turner. The Pacers’ starting center, however, is in the concussion protocol and will miss his fourth straight game.

Royce Young does a terrific job on the Oklahoma City Thunder beat for ESPN.com. On this podcast, we look ahead to George facing off against his former team and how he has adjusted to the Thunder as well as playing alongside two other stars.

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

Topics Discussed:

* Paul George’s outlook and goals for the season

* OKC general manager Sam Presti’s aggressive move in trading for George and Carmelo Anthony

* The culture of the Thunder and their impact on the community

* Domantas Sabonis being misused by the Thunder

* Victor Oladipo not being appreciated

Max Leinwand is entering his third season as the producer of Pacers telecasts on FOX Sports Indiana.

For the second time in three years, they will air all 82 games. Already, they televised two of the four preseason games.

I always find it interesting to talk with key individuals behind the scenes that are integral to Pacers games. In Leinwand’s case, who was worked at FOX Sports Midwest since 2005, it’s the picture and presentation that fans consume on television or online with NBA League Pass.

In my conversation Leinwand, he talks about his job, and what you can expect from their FSI broadcasts this season.

The on-air trio of Chris Denari (12th), Quinn Buckner (19th), and Jeremiah Johnson (4th) are together for their fourth consecutive season, and the broadcasts are directed, as always, by Jamie Berns.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

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

Topics Discussed:

* His comfort with the FSI team after two seasons

* Offseason work with the St. Louis Cardinals and The Big3

* What the production truck is like during games

* New features, including a fresh graphics package and super slo-mo cam

* How new lighting at Bankers Life Fieldhouse impacts their work

* Plus, he answers questions from Twitter

(Click here to listen to our podcast from two years ago.)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Mad Ants of the NBA’s G League begin their third year under the operation of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Owner Herb Simon purchased the franchise back in 2015, and most NBA teams later followed in owning their own development program.

The connection between the Pacers and Mad Ants is now close. General Manager Brian Levy communicates daily with the Pacers front office, specifically GM Chad Buchanan.

Steve Gansey, who is entering his third year as head coach, sends a report after every game to Pacers head coach Nate McMillan and frequently talks with longtime Pacers assistant Dan Burke.

For the first time this season, NBA teams can sign up to two players to two-way contracts. This allows a player to spend up to 45 days with the NBA franchise (not including training camp and the time before G League camp) while earning at least $75,000, three times the salary of the average G League player — which is around just $20,000.

The Pacers signed rookie Edmond Sumner to a two-year, two-way contract, and Alex Poythress to a one-year deal.

Recently the Mad Ants held open tryouts in Fort Wayne and the Plassman Athletic Center was packed. As in it was the biggest turnout in franchise history — over 120 participants — and zero parking spots in the lot.

Players, ranging from 18 to 34, were fighting for four invitations to Mad Ants training camp.

Among those from the Pacers on hand to evaluate: Pro scout Vance Catlin, scout Jason Buckner, and scouting coordinator Harrison Greenberg.

[Chris Taylor takes on new role with the Mad Ants]

On this podcast, I’ll talk with Levy and then Gansey about their experience in the G League, their relationship with the Pacers, and what they are looking forward to this season.

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

Topics Discussed:

* What they’ve learned after two years in their current position

* Growth of the G League (formerly the Development League)

* Daily communication with the Pacers front office and coaching staff

* The challenge of players getting called up or choosing to go overseas

* Two-way contracts

* Their involvement during Pacers training camp

Michael Grady is leaving Indianapolis for the Big Apple.

The Warren Central High School product will be the Brooklyn Nets courtside reporter for the YES Network, one of the prestigious broadcast teams in the NBA.

“Probably the most anxiety or stress that I’ve had in my life, because it’s a big move,” Grady said of his last few weeks. “A big decision. It’s one that didn’t come easy but it’s one that’s right.”

Grady will continue co-hosting The Grady & Big Joe Show, weekdays from 10:00 am to noon on ESPN 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis, wherever he is — his apartment, Nets practice, or another NBA city.

But this new job means he will no longer being sitting right at mid-court, at the scorer’s table for all Pacers home games to handle the public address system. He had been the Pacers’ full-time PA announcer since the 2010-11 season, taking over for Reb Porter.

[Rare opening: Become the fourth PA announcer in Pacers history]

You’ll appreciate Grady’s candidness throughout the podcast. His passion for Indy, the people and sports teams is very real. That was clear.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

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

Topics Discussed:

* How an agent helped him land this opportunity with the Brooklyn Nets

* Connecting with Pacers fans, and staying active on Twitter during games

* Why it was important to remain on the Indy airwaves

* How living in New York will be a challenge, but will open new doors

* Joining an elite broadcast crew: Ian Eagle, Ryan Ruocco, and Sarah Kustok

* His passion for the arts — fashion and photography

* His message to Pacers fans and his loyal listeners in Indy

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Indy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mOOP9BwiH6— Michael Grady (@Grady) September 14, 2017

Nate McMillan looks at ease, comfortable in his role and with this team. He’s been with the Pacers since 2013 and has coached more than 1,000 games.

The reset button was hit on the roster and just two starters return (and six players in all) from last year’s team that bowed out in the first round of the playoffs to Cleveland.

Out at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course Wednesday morning for the annual golf outing that benefits the Pacers Foundation, Nate McMillan first spoke with golfers and then to the media for more than 12 minutes.

What was discussed:

* Youth, and being a “prove it” year for so many players

* How they are going to live by hustle and heart

* Potential starters, and who is on the outside

* Lance Stephenson being the sixth man

* Why he no longer golfs

* Al Jefferson dropping weight

* Damien Wilkins brought in for leadership

Watch his full comments below:

Or, if you prefer a condensed version:

Highlights from 13 minutes with Pacers coach Nate McMillan … on youth, Lance, and potential lineup.

(Full video): https://t.co/D0SWPFScj5 pic.twitter.com/hciQtCxYWA

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) September 21, 2017

Fred Jones has mostly remained in Indianapolis since his playing days. He was drafted 14th overall by the Pacers out of the University of Oregon in 2002 and spent four years with the franchise.

He then played four more years with four different teams.

This summer, Jones started Shoot 360 in Indianapolis, which is “shaping the future of basketball development through interactive technology that allows our athletes to test, train, track, and compete like never before.”

It is a relatively new company currently with four franchises; the other three are on the west coast (Washington, Oregon, and California). The grand opening in Indy was on June 3, 2017.

Inside his facility on the north west side of Indy at 8090 Georgetown Road, Jones has one NBA-regulation floor, and then dozens of hoops.

Each hoop is attached to a big monitor that will keep track of makes and provide continuous instruction. There’s also interactive screens that offer games to practice passing skills and more.

(Jones also has an ownership stake in The Luxury Sneaker Exchange on Mass Ave. downtown.)

There’s a mobile app that will keep track of your work and where you can sign up for their one-hour sessions. As Jones explains, it is best understood by stopping by and taking advantage of their free workout.

On this podcast, we spoke about his new company and a lot about playing for the Pacers and being in the NBA.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

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

Topics Discussed:

* Launching a franchisee of Shoot 360, and the concept behind it

* Becoming a businessman and the challenges he’s had to overcome

* Going back to Oregon to complete his degree

* Phil Knight’s involvement with the Ducks, and interning at Nike

* His Pacers days, one regret, and how his slam dunk title gave him confidence

* The Pacers’ new $50 million practice facility

The Indiana Pacers’ new $50 million practice facility, the St. Vincent Center, officially opens for business on Monday, August 28.

The organization will hold a ribbon cutting at 1:15 pm on Thursday (Aug. 24) with local dignitaries: Governor Eric Holcomb, Mayor Joe Hogsett, and team officials.

Many members of the Pacers’ basketball operations staff are already working out of the St. Vincent Center, a state-of-the-art 130,000-square-foot facility featuring two basketball courts, a sizable training and weight room upgrade, a barbershop, and more.

PHOTOS: Visual update from August 7

Floors 4 and 5 of this facility, which was privately financed, will be for St. Vincent’s use. It is open to the public with primary care services, preventive care, and they will offer cardiovascular services.

On this podcast, I visited with Ralph Reiff, the Executive Director of St. Vincent Sports Performance. If there’s a major sporting event in Indianapolis, like the Final Four, Big Ten Football Championship, and Swimming & Diving Championships, Reiff is on site and overseeing the training staff.

Remember Louisville’s Kevin Ware suffering a serious leg injury? Reiff was right there.

St. Vincent’s logo already appears on the Pacers’ practice jerseys, and it is all over the basket stanchions. As I previously reported, one basketball court at the practice facility is named “Bobby ‘Slick’ Leonard Court” and the other is “Donnie Walsh Court.”

Northwest moving crew. Excited for a new location but sad to say goodbye to this place! 16 great years of work with amazing people #SVSPFam pic.twitter.com/UIeZSWvnfc— St. Vincent Sports (@DefiningSports) August 18, 2017

On Friday, St. Vincent will hold an open house on their floors from 11:00 am to 1:30pm. Parking is available on the top level of the Virginia Avenue Garage.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

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

Topics Discussed:

* How St. Vincent became the name partner of the Pacers’ practice facility

* The partnership that will exist between SVSP and the team

* Growth within sports performance

* Services opened to the public at the St. Vincent Center

After two years in Indianapolis and on the Pacers beat for the Indianapolis Star, Nate Taylor is moving away.

That’s because he’s able to move back home to Kansas City. His wife, Holly, accepted a senior design job at Barkley, one of the largest independent advertising agencies in the United States.

This doesn’t mean, however, that Nate is moving out of journalism.

Appropriately, I treated this podcast as an exit interview for Nate, who I’ve gotten to know over the last two years covering the Pacers.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

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

Topics Discussed:

* Their decision to move back home to Kansas City

* His career journey thus far through Boston, New York, South Florida, Indiana

* Favorite NBA arenas to visit

* The Paul George Saga

* Covering Lance Stephenson

* What’s next for him…