The Pacers Post Up

With the Pacers’ rotation looking a little different heading into the 2026-27 season, one question stands out: who leads Indiana’s second unit? TJ McConnell? Obi Toppin? Kelly Oubre Jr.? Or could someone else emerge as the Pacers most important weapon off the bench? Brad and Ryan break down Indiana’s 6th Man of the Year candidates before going around the Eastern Conference to identify the biggest threats for the award. We debate a loaded group featuring Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, Mitchell Robinson, Anthony Black, Lu Dort, Grayson Allen and more. Who has the best combination of opportunity, production and winning? Which players are being overlooked? And does a Pacer have a legitimate shot to bring home 6MOY? Tune in and find out!

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After ranking the bottom half of the conference in Part 1, it’s time to reveal the BEST benches in the Eastern Conference. Brad and Ryan work their way from No. 8 all the way to No. 1, breaking down the second units, young talent and difference-makers that could swing games in what has become an incredibly deep East. And eventually, we get to Indiana. For years, depth has been one of the Pacers’ biggest advantages. But after another offseason of major roster movement around the conference, do the Pacers still have the deepest team in the East? We debate which contenders can survive injuries, which benches are being overrated, which young players could change these rankings completely — and ultimately crown the No. 1 bench in the Eastern Conference.

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Benn Mathurin’s brief stint in Los Angeles is officially over. Mathurin is headed to New Orleans, and Brad and Ryan react to the news, what it says about his market around the NBA, why things ultimately didn’t work in Indiana or LA, and now what to expect in his Pelicans era. Then it’s time for another ranking debate. We’re ranking every BENCH in the Eastern Conference heading into next season — and in Part 1, we start at the bottom and work our way from No. 15 through No. 9. Which teams have legitimate difference-makers waiting behind their starters? Which young benches could surprise? Who desperately needs more depth? And where will Indiana eventually land in a conference that suddenly looks a whole lot deeper? Mathurin is moving on. The East has changed. And now it’s time to find out which teams actually have the depth to survive it.

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Indy showed out again. Tyrese Haliburton’s Charity Softball Classic, MC’d by Pat McAfee, brought together athletes, personalities and fans from across Indianapolis for an incredible night — and gave us another reminder of just how special this sports city really is. Brad and Ryan recap the event and discuss how fortunate Indianapolis is to have two stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Pat McAfee embracing the city and using their platforms to bring people together. But it goes beyond those two. The Pacers. Colts. Fever. Ignite. Current players. Former players. Media personalities. Fans. There’s a genuine sense of community between Indy’s teams that you simply don’t see everywhere — and events like this put it on full display. Then we get back to basketball. What does Klay Thompson heading to Miami mean for the Heat and the Eastern Conference? And finally…how good is Andrew Nembhard? Because at this point, calling him “underrated” might actually be underselling it. We dive into Nembhard’s growth, his place among the East’s guards and just how high his ceiling could be as the Pacers enter their next chapter. Indy is special. This Pacers team might be too. And basketball season can’t get here soon enough.

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It’s time to settle the debate. After revealing Nos. 10–6 in Part 1, Brad and Ryan are back to unveil their five best players in the Eastern Conference — and in this new-look East, ranking the stars isn’t easy. New faces have entered the conference. Familiar faces are wearing new uniforms. And some of the NBA’s biggest names are battling for the top spot. Giannis. Tatum. Kawhi. Cade. Tyrese. Brunson. Who belongs in the Top 5? Who’s being overrated? Who’s being slept on? And ultimately… who is the BEST player in the Eastern Conference? Before the rankings, we go around the league with the latest NBA news, including the Cavs adding Peyton Watson and Max Strus heading to the Clippers.

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Who are the 10 best players in the Eastern Conference heading into the 2026-27 NBA season? Before Brad and Ryan reveal the first half of their rankings, they go around the league to hit the latest NBA storylines — including the ongoing Kawhi Leonard and Clippers drama, Philadelphia’s suspiciously favorable schedule, Tyrese Haliburton’s revealing comments on Numbers on the Board, and the Pacers signing guard Braden Smith to a two-way contract. Then it’s time to rank the East. Brad and Ryan each unveil Nos. 10 through 6 on their lists…Who made the Top 10? Who’s ranked way too high? And which big names didn’t even crack the list? Nos. 10–6 today. The Top 5 are coming in Part 2.

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The 2026-27 Indiana Pacers schedule is officially HERE — which means we’re one step closer to Pacers basketball and, more importantly, the return of Tyrese Haliburton. We break down all 82 games by dividing the season into five chapters — each inspired by a movie or TV show that perfectly captures what Indiana will face along the way. And there’s plenty to talk about. Why is Haliburton’s long-awaited return happening on the road in New Orleans instead of in front of Pacers fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse? November and December are absolutely loaded with rivalry games and marquee matchups, while the final stretch of the season could have major playoff implications as Indiana runs through a gauntlet of Eastern Conference contenders. We hit the biggest games, toughest stretches, national TV opportunities, rivalries and everything else that jumped off the schedule. The schedule is here. Hali is coming back. Pacers basketball is getting CLOSE.

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We’re BACK — and so is Tyrese Haliburton. After a brief flood-induced hiatus, the Pacers Post Up is back online and turning the show over to Pacers Nation. During our recent giveaway, we asked fans one simple question: What are you most excited to see from the Pacers next season? Hundreds of responses later, some very clear themes emerged. From the long-awaited return of Hali, to his new partnership with Ivica Zubac, a healthy roster, revenge against the Knicks, proving the national media wrong, and dreams of another run to the NBA Finals — we break down the five biggest things Pacers fans can’t wait to see this season. Plus, we share some of our favorite responses and the personal stories that remind us why being a Pacers fan means so much more than what happens on the court. Pacers basketball is almost back. Pacers Nation is ready. And so are we.

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This weekend we were joined by Jake Riley from Pacers Beyond the Buzzer for a fun crossover episode celebrating Pacers basketball. Before diving into the X’s and O’s, we share how each of us became Pacers fans, what inspired us to start creating content, and our journeys into the Pacers podcasting community. From there, we discuss the biggest offseason storylines surrounding the franchise before each revealing three bold predictions for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Which young player is poised for a breakout? Who could surprise everyone? And where do the Pacers ultimately stack up in the Eastern Conference? We wrap things up with plenty of laughs and some lighthearted Pacers banter to close out what was simply an awesome conversation with one of the great people in the Pacers media space.

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After revealing the bottom half of the Eastern Conference, it’s time to rank the teams that matter most. Brad and Ryan count down the East’s true contenders, debate whether Philadelphia has become the team to beat after adding LeBron James, and reveal exactly where they believe the Indiana Pacers belong entering the 2026-27 season.Has Indiana done enough this offseason with the additions of Ivica Zubac and Kelly Oubre Jr.? Who sits atop the conference? And are the Pacers still one of the NBA’s most overlooked championship threats? This is one you don’t want to miss!

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