Fieldhouse Files: Scott Agness on the Indiana Pacers

Brian Levy is just 31 years old but he’s now tasked with running the basketball division of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA’s Developmental League. Exactly one month ago, the Indiana Pacers finalized a deal to purchase the Mad Ants and thus have a one-to-one affiliation.

For the past five years, Levy was with the Bakersfield Jam, the Phoenix Suns’ affiliate. There, he held a number of titles: video coordinator, director of player personnel, and, for the past three years, assistant GM.

[Click here to follow Brian on Twitter]

It’ll be real interesting to see how the Pacers utilize the D-League and how they use the Mad Ants as an asset. With so many young players, several guys — like Glenn Robinson III, Rakeem Christmas — will be sent up to Fort Wayne for playing time and development.

[Pacers conclude exhibition schedule Oct. 22 in Fort Wayne against Cody Zeller and the Charlotte Hornets]

Topics Discussed:

* Getting his hands dirty in the D-League

* How he was hired by the Pacers

* The future of the NBA and D-League ownership

* Why he selected Steve Gansey as head coach

* How Pacers coach Frank Vogel and the coaching staff can benefit from the Mad Ants

* What he’s observed at Pacers camp

* The Mad Ants’ upcoming open tryouts and what they’re looking for on Oct. 17 and 18

* Advice for those aspiring to work in the front office

MINNEAPOLIS — As you may know, I recently started a Pacers Podcast. Well, covering the WNBA Finals I thought it was appropriate to put together a Fever episode.

[VIDEO: Stephanie White talks with the media ahead of Game 2]

The Fever were victorious in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, 75-69. At Monday’s media availability, I spoke with Briann January, Tamika Catchings, coaches Stephanie White and Gary Kloppenburg of the Indiana Fever, and Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx.

[January’s best-ever performance leads Fever to Game 1 win]

Topics Discussed:

* January’s starring role in Game 1

* Fever team chemistry

* Importance of enjoying the Finals

* What the Lynx need to do better in Game 2

* Moore’s admiration for Catchings

* Catchings’ two critical steals

* White de-emphasizing statistics

* Kloppenburg back working for the team

The series continues Tuesday night at the Target Center (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

The Pacers opened training camp for the 2015-16 season on Tuesday and will have had three two-a-days by week’s end. I spoke with three players — rookie Joe Young, second-year big man Shayne Whittington, and  Jordan Hill — with different perspectives about camp.

Topics Discussed:

* Joe Young’s heart and passion for the game

* Young’s motivation, plus his goal to be Rookie of the Year

* Shayne Whittington on being healthy and the big man battle

* Whittington’s typical off-day and his favorite restaurants around Indy

* Jordan Hill’s transition to a new team and the competition up front

* Fatigue setting in

I welcome all feedback: @ScottAgness on Twitter or [email protected].

The first episode of the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast is here…

Topics Discussed:

* The Pacers busy “off”season

* Asset building

* Paul George at power forward

* Tracking 10 storylines as camp opens.

I appreciate you taking the time to listen. I welcome all feedback: @ScottAgness on Twitter or [email protected].

Enjoy!

It’s been a busy offseason for the Pacers adding additional assets. First, a couple of draft picks. Then, a couple trades and the signing of four more players.

A couple weeks ago, at the end of August, Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) announced their plans to build a practice facility, which is expected to cost about $50 million.

Now, less than three weeks before the team opens training camp, they have added another asset that will benefit the entire organization.

The Pacers have purchased the last remaining independent NBA Developmental League team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the organization announced at a Wednesday afternoon press conference at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne. Terms of the deal were not immediately available, but this is a big step for the organization.

“This is a very significant day for Pacers Sports & Entertainment,” said PS&E Vice Chairman Jim Morris.

Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird said team owner Herb Simon was hands on with the purchase.

“We’re here today because of Herb Simon,” Bird said. “We had opportunities to look at other franchises, go different places, but when it came right down to it, he wanted this franchise.

“Matter of fact, he took over the negotiations and don’t ask me what he paid for it. I have no idea. But he wanted it, he’s got it, and now it’s up to us to use it to our full potential.”

Click here to listen to Larry Bird’s comments, or play in the embedded player below.

[audio:http://www.vigilantsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Larry-Bird-on-Pacers-buying-Mad-Ants.mp3|titles=Larry Bird on the Pacers purchase of the Mad Ants]

How big — or rather, important — was the announcement? Among those in Fort Wayne for the press conference: PS&E President Rick Fuson, CFO Kevin Bower, Sr. VP of Marketing Todd Taylor, VP of General Counsel Frank Pulice, the entire front office, Pacers head coach Frank Vogel and more.

D-League Digest first reported that the Pacers were finalizing a deal to buy the Mad Ants back on August 1.

With the Pacers’ purchase of the Mad Ants, their D-League affiliate since 2007, all 19 D-League teams have a single-affiliate relationship with an NBA team. Over the last year, the Toronto Raptors bought a team and the Charlotte Hornets announced their intention to start their own next year.

The Pacers have privately discussed plans and a number of goals in having their own team. It’s likely that some employees would move to Fort Wayne to help build and grow the organization, and also be a great opportunity for those individuals to gain valuable on-the-job experience. They want their culture to extend up to Fort Wayne.

[Click here to read full comments from Simon, Morris, and Bird.]

Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard has been a big advocate of the minor leagues for those wanting to work in sports because you have to wear every hat.

“We are excited to build on the team’s success in Fort Wayne while using it as a training ground for players, coaches and front office personnel,” Bird said in a statement.

Individuals associated with the Mad Ants have been through Bankers Life Fieldhouse recently, including Brian Levy,