Fieldhouse Files: Scott Agness on the Indiana Pacers Scott Agness

On this episode of the Fieldhouse Files, it's almost opening night. So before a new season, let's go back to last season. It's time for another Championship Conversation, this time with Popeye Jones.

He's been in the NBA for over 30 years now, both as a player and a coach. Jones was an assistant for the Pacers from 2013-2020 and is now in his third season on Michael Malone's Nuggets staff.

He discussed his coaching journey and the experience of winning the 2023 NBA title.

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Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and read his work on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fieldhousefiles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of the Fieldhouse Files podcast, the players are holding a mini-camp one week out from training camp, Pacers GM Chad Buchanan speaks ahead of the first practice and Bob Kravitz joins.

Among the items discussed on this episode:


00:00: Bennedict Mathurin hosting a youth camp over the weekend.


02:40: One local program becomes the first to hold a team event at Bicentennial Unity Plaza.


03:28: Players hold mini-camp in Nashville.


04:55: Reaction from front office reception; Buchanan talks (click here to watch).

Key quote: “… Our ultimate goal is down the road trying to be great — to compete for a championship and be an elite team. And that’s not going to happen right away and we don’t want to skip steps to get there.”



07:40: A conversation with Kravvy, who you can read here, on the team’s wait-and-see approach, competition for minutes, wondering where the veterans fit in, Buddy Hield’s future, Jrue Holiday?, and Indy hosting the All-Star game in February.



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Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and read his work on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fieldhousefiles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of the Fieldhouse Files podcast, I’ll discuss Buddy Hield’s future with the Pacers and what it means in the big picture. Then, my conversation with former Pacer and 2017 NBA Slam Dunk Champion Glenn Robinson III, who is gearing up for a comeback.

Among the items discussed on this episode:


Daniel Theis in a good spot after helping Germany win Gold.


Bicentennial Unity Plaza officially opens and what’s in store.


Bally Sports+ being included in a Pacers ticket package.


Why did this come up and what Hield is wanting. (9:00)


Being a deep threat and his strong relationship with Tyrese Haliburton.


What’s his role look like and what path will the Pacers choose?


A few ways it could be resolved.


1-on-1 interview with GRIII. (28:55)

What he’s been up to and his desire to play again.



His dunk course is available at GR3.biz — use code “VIPDUNKFAM” for 25% off.



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Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and read his work on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fieldhousefiles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of the Fieldhouse Files podcast, Scott Agness catches up with Jarace Walker during a 1-on-1 conversation.

Among the items discussed on this episode:


Getting involved with business deals off the court


Being close with his sisters and sharing his draft night with them


Having a procedure on his right elbow and how he’s feeling


Settling into Indy


His relationship (and on-court battles) with Jannero Pargo


Compensation received from new teammate Obi Toppin for No. 1


Gearing up for training camp



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Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and read his work on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fieldhousefiles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

“Destination NBA: A G League Odyssey” was produced by Amazon Studios with a runtime of just under two hours. It’s scheduled to debut Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

And look who’s on the cover for the advertisement on Prime Video? Gabe York — the Mad Ants' all-time leader in 3s in a game (nine), 3s in a season (161) and in franchise history (316).

I have not seen an early copy of the documentary, so I’ll be watching for the first time this week and expecting to see plenty of focus on players who both made it to the NBA and others who are so close, but not there yet.

The documentary is starring G League Ignite alum Scoot Henderson, plus York and Denzel Valentine (Maine). The success stories include Seth Curry, Spencer Dinwiddie, Gary Payton II and Jalen Green.

(Click here for more on York’s story)

This was a year-long endeavor for the production crew as they followed players around closely. The Mad Ants, led by general manager Chris Taylor and coach Tom Hankins, welcomed the crew with full access. Dan Vance, the team’s director of public relations and social media, also played an important role in the relationship and setting up shots and interviews.

So he’s my guest on the latest Fieldhouse Files Podcast — discussing how the team and York were featured and what that experience was like.

“The exciting part is that we tried to embrace the experience as a franchise and really show the grind of the G League from every level,” said Vance. “That was the most exciting part, being able to showcase who we were as a franchise, who these guys were as a team, and I think that hopefully shows in the documentary.

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Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, and read his work on ⁠⁠⁠⁠fieldhousefiles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of the Fieldhouse Files, I recap the Pacers draft and preview free agency, which begins on June 30 with the face of the franchise, Tyrese Haliburton.

Among the items discussed on this episode:


Completing three draft capital trades in 48 hours


Drafting Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, Mojave King and Isaiah Wong


Insight on IU forward Trayce Jackson-Davis going to Golden State


State of the franchise — roster spots, cap space, two-way deals, etc.


What Haliburton's extension could look like


Targets via trade and in free agency



And click here to read my mega free agency primer.

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Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, and read his work on ⁠⁠⁠fieldhousefiles.com⁠⁠⁠.