Fieldhouse Files: Scott Agness on the Indiana Pacers

ORLANDO, Fla. — So far in free agency, the Pacers have agreed to terms with one player, veteran big man Al Jefferson. He cannot make it official by signing this new three-year, $30 million deal until after the NBA moratorium on July 7th.

To discuss Jefferson’s game, what he will add to the Pacers, and what kind of person he is, Scott Agness talks with Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer at the Orlando Summer League. He owns that beat and had a great relationship with Jefferson.

The 12-year center from Mississippi has played three seasons with four teams each: Boston, Minnesota, Utah, Charlotte.

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

Topics Discussed:

* The personality of Jefferson

* Slimming down 20-plus pounds

* The wear and tear on Al’s body

* How he might fit in with the Pacers

* So many Hornets players leaving for big free-agent deals

Fresh off a media blitz earlier in the week with USA Basketball as the 12-man roster was announced, Paul George was back in Indianapolis.

The three-time NBA All-Star has about three weeks before he’ll head west to Las Vegas, on July 17, for Training Camp followed by five exhibition games.

Then, they’ll travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 2016 Olympic Games (Aug. 6-21).

George explained how he got a phone call about two weeks ago from Coach K, and that’s when he committed.

“I always wanted to do this,” he said Wednesday. “This is a dream of mine, to compete for the country. I was pretty excited to join up.

“… I think this just completes the story. Winning the gold medal definitely completes the story.”

More on PG in the Olympics:

* FIRST LOOK: Paul George in his PG-13 Team USA uniform

* George among 12 named to 2016 USA Olympic Team

* PG included in new Gatorade ad campaign, to be featured on bottles in USA uniform

* Why Jeep tapped George to be the face of their summer campaign

* PG to grace the cover of ‘NBA2K17’

Georges Niang arrived in Indianapolis on Tuesday, eager to join the Pacers. Before taking part in practice No. 1 with the Summer League team, Niang, who the Pacers selected 50th overall in last week’s draft, addressed the local media.

With the 50th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Pacers selected forward Georges Niang from Iowa State University. He’s a four-year player with a coach-like mentality for the game.

On this special episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, Iowa State University head basketball coach Steve Prohm joins to discuss Prohm’s game and his potential in the best league in the world.

“I don’t think he could go to a better place,” Prohm said on the podcast.

Standing 6-8 and weighing in at 231, Niang is a versatile player with quality shot. The Pacers hope he can play the spread four position that they’ve needed for quite some time.

In his senior season at ISU, Niang averaged 20.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He is a Iowa State’s all-time winningest player, a two-time All-American, and the recipient of the Karl Malone Award given to the nation’s top post player.

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

Topics Discussed:

* Georges Niang’s personality

* How his smarts and intangibles make up for athleticism

* Leadership qualities he displays regularly

* His impact on the Cyclones program

The Pacers traded away their first pick for Thad Young, and then later Thursday used their only selection in the 2016 NBA Draft to take forward Georges Niang out of Iowa State University with the 50th pick.

Once the draft concluded, Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard discussed the draft and the team’s selection of Niang with reporters.

When I first started this podcast last fall, covering all things Pacers, Tambra Brenner was one of several individuals — beyond the coaches and players — at Pacers Sports & Entertainment I thought fans would enjoy hearing from.

Brenner is the travel specialist at PS&E. Her primary responsibilities include managing the travel for the 10 scouts or so employed by the team. Most of them typically spend more than 220 days on the road and Brenner can help ease that challenge and hopefully make it a smooth process.

She also manages the travel for any guys the Pacers bring in, like the draft hopefuls. Over the last month and a half, she’s booked flights and hotels for nearly 50 prospects. There is also free-agent camp, Summer League, and signings come free agency in July.

Meantime, scouting is a 365-day job so once the draft is over, they’re continuing their research and evaluation for future years.

I hope that you enjoy this unique interview.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.)

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

Topics Discussed:

* How she entered the travel booking business

* Her computer database and how it helps her daily

* Reaction mode when weather or a delay impacts travel

* Why managing the Fever’s travel is most challenging

* The best part of her job

It’s been exactly one month since Nate McMillan was promoted to Pacers head coach by President Larry Bird. And he has certainly stayed busy.

On this special episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, Scott Agness sits down with coach McMillan to discuss his first 30 days, observing draft workouts, and organizing his team the way he wants it.

From the day he was hired, May 16: Pacers go old-school, seek accountability in promoting Nate McMillan to head coach

McMillan, a former NBA player for 12 seasons with the Seattle Super Sonics, has coached 930 games and served as an assistant coach with USA Basketball for seven years. He spent the last three years as Frank Vogel’s top assistant in Indiana.

McMillan is keeping assistants Dan Burke and Popeye Jones on staff and he will soon add his third — and final — assistant.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.)

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

Topics Discussed:

* His first month as Pacers head coach

* On having a hands-on approach

* His decision to retain assistants Dan Burke and Popeye Jones

* Adding a player development guy

* How many of the young guys are in each day

* Paul George playing in the Olympics

On this week’s episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast, I’m joined by a familiar name in Central Indiana Sports: Tom Pritchard.

Pritchard played basketball at Indiana University from 2008-12. He was not only part of that special game where IU knocked off No. 1 and previously unbeaten Kentucky at Assembly Hall, but he was also one of the original recruits in 2008 who remained committed despite a coaching change.

Oh, and his put-back jam on Minnesota is one for the highlight reel.

After playing in Bloomington, Pritchard joined the Pacers in the consumer sales department. In May, after three years of ticket sales, he made the decision to leave that job to pursue a job back on the court … in coaching.

Excited to begin a new journey to pursue my dream job in college coaching! Looking forward to getting on the court coaching Summer camps.— Tom Pritchard (@CoachTPritchard) May 11, 2016

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.)

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

Topics Discussed:

* His memorable dunk on Minnesota

* Playing at IU and beating Kentucky

* Taking a ticket sales job with the Pacers

* The challenge of making cold calls

* Transitioning into coaching

* Being a Cleveland sports fan

* Whether the Cavaliers are currently a likable team

Less than one month out from the 2016 NBA Draft, there’s no better time to talk with a longtime NBA scout about the job, sacrifices required, and how one can improve in their player evaluations.

Pete Philo has worked for three NBA teams spanning 13 years. Most recently, he was the Pacers Director of International Scouting for almost three years. Prior to that, he worked in the front offices of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks.

[Pete Philo leaves Pacers scouting department]

Philo’s job required him to travel the world, spending more than 200 days each year on the road. It also was critical that he developed strong relationships with key resources overseas.

Philo’s now dedicating his time to TPG Sports Group, an organization for which he’s the owner and president. And one of their biggest projects each year has been the Pro Scout School, held annually in Las Vegas for aspiring front office personnel.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.)

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

Topics Discussed:

* The sacrifices required to be a scout

* What is taught at the Pro Scout School

* The art of developing relationships

* How exactly scouts document their observations

We have a lot to get to on this week’s episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast.

The Pacers’ season is over and President Larry Bird made a coaching change, promoting Nate McMillan to the top chair. The team evaluated over 60 players at the NBA Draft Combine and then they have already conducted two pre-draft workouts.

Chris Denari just completed his 10th season as the Television Voice of the Pacers on FOX Sports Indiana. He’s called games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for over a decade as the Voice of the Indiana Fever from the beginning.

Denari also does freelance work for the Big Ten Network and the IMS Radio Network. He is a tireless worker who truly loves his craft. We’ll get into all of that as well.

Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on iTunes. (And, if you like the podcast, please leave a review.)

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

Topics Discussed:

* Pacers 2015-16 season, ending in seven games to Toronto

* Paul George’ undereappreciated story

* Larry Bird’s decision to promote Nate McMillan

* Being inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters & Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame

* His role as the Turn 4 Announcer for the Indianapolis 500