Setting The Pace: A Pacers Podcast

Blue Wire
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Setting The Pace is a Pacers Podcast with Alex Golden and Mike Facci. Brought to you by the Blue Wire Podcast Network.

  1. 1h ago

    Could Braden Smith Eventually Replace T.J. McConnell? Player Previews Ep. 2

    Alex Golden and Mike Facci continue their eight-part Pacers Player Preview Series, and today the focus shifts to two very different point guards: T.J. McConnell and Braden Smith. The guys start with McConnell as he enters his 12th NBA season and eighth year with the Indiana Pacers. At 34 years old, T.J. is officially one of the elder statesmen of this roster—but after everything he's meant to Indiana over the last several seasons, what should expectations look like this year? Alex and Facci discuss McConnell's role behind Tyrese Haliburton, how many minutes he should play on a nightly basis, whether his responsibilities could change with Haliburton returning and what the Pacers need from their veteran point guard to make another deep postseason run. They also discuss what they specifically want to see from T.J. this season and make their official stat predictions for one of the most important players on Indiana's second unit. Then, the guys turn their attention to Braden Smith. After joining the Pacers on a two-way contract, what should Year 1 look like for the former Purdue point guard? Alex and Facci discuss where Smith fits into Indiana's crowded guard rotation, how much NBA playing time he could realistically receive and what areas of his game will determine whether he can eventually become a legitimate rotation player. What does Smith need to prove as a rookie? Could he eventually push his way into Rick Carlisle's rotation? And what would constitute a successful first season for the young point guard? Roles, expectations, goals and stat predictions for T.J. McConnell and Braden Smith as the Pacers Player Preview Series rolls on! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Could Braden Smith Eventually Replace T.J. McConnell? Player Previews Ep. 2

  2. 1d ago

    Player Previews: Tyrese Haliburton & Quenton Jackson - Goals, Expectations, Roles and Predictions!

    Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back, and today they're kicking off a brand-new eight-part Player Preview Series on Setting The Pace! Over the next eight episodes, Alex and Facci will work their way through the Pacers roster, breaking down each player's role, expectations and goals for the upcoming season while also making their official stat predictions. First up: Tyrese Haliburton and Quenton Jackson. The guys start with Haliburton as he prepares to make his long-awaited return to the court. What are realistic expectations for Tyrese after missing all of last season? How quickly can he return to the player Pacers fans remember? And should his role look any different after everything Indiana learned while playing without him? Alex and Facci discuss what they want to see from Haliburton, what a successful season would look like, where he can continue to grow and make their official predictions for his points, assists, rebounds, shooting percentages and more. Then, the attention turns to Quenton Jackson. After earning a standard NBA contract last season and having his deal become fully guaranteed this summer, where does Jackson fit into a crowded Pacers backcourt? The guys discuss how big of a role Q could realistically have, where his minutes could come from, what he needs to show to earn Rick Carlisle's trust and what would constitute a successful season for the 28-year-old guard. Plus, Alex and Facci make their official stat predictions for Jackson and discuss what they most want to see from him this season. Roles. Expectations. Goals. Stat predictions. The eight-part Pacers Player Preview Series officially begins with Tyrese Haliburton and Quenton Jackson! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Player Previews: Tyrese Haliburton & Quenton Jackson - Goals, Expectations, Roles and Predictions!

  3. 2d ago

    John Nolan on Team USA, Fever Stretch Run, Engelbert Retirement

    Casey is joined by John Nolan, radio voice of the Indiana Fever, for a wide-ranging conversation on the team, the league, and everything surrounding one of the most interesting stretches of the season. Topics include: The absurdity of online Fever discourse and how hard it has become to talk about the actual basketball What Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston can gain from their Team USA experience Caitlin and Kelsey Mitchell continuing to stack up record-breaking performances Aliyah Boston’s steady presence and why her consistency matters so much Makayla Timpson’s rise and how quickly she has carved out a role Why Ty Harris feels like the perfect veteran addition for this Fever team Cathy Engelbert’s announcement and the bigger questions facing the WNBA What qualities the next commissioner needs to have to lead the league forward A loaded conversation with John Nolan on the Fever’s present, their future, and where the league goes from here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    John Nolan on Team USA, Fever Stretch Run, Engelbert Retirement

  4. 4d ago

    Pacers Fans Will NEVER Forgive These Guys…

    Alex Golden is joined by Ryan Knight of The Pacers Post Up for an episode dedicated to the players Pacers fans love to hate. Forget rival teams. Today, we're talking about individual players who have become Public Enemy No. 1 in Indiana. Alex and Ryan reveal their Top 5 biggest player rivals of the current iteration of the Indiana Pacers, discussing how each player earned a spot on the list and why the bad blood still exists today. Whether it was a heated playoff series, trash talk, physical play, controversial moments or simply getting under the skin of Pacers players and fans, each of these five has developed a unique relationship with Indiana—and not exactly a friendly one. But how relevant are some of these rivalries today? Alex and Ryan discuss which beefs are still alive and well, which have started to cool off and which could become even more heated during the 2026-27 season as Indiana looks to make another run through the Eastern Conference. The guys also look at these rivalries from both perspectives. Which players do Pacers fans despise the most? Which opponents seem to have legitimate beef with Indiana's players? And who is the one player that deserves to be crowned the Pacers' ultimate Public Enemy No. 1? It's time to embrace the hate. No friends. No love lost. Just the five biggest villains of the current Pacers era and why they've earned a permanent spot on Indiana's enemies list. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Pacers Fans Will NEVER Forgive These Guys…

  5. 6d ago

    Grass Isn’t So Green Now, Myles + Did Pacers Make the Right FA Moves

    Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back, and today's episode starts with a familiar face having some trouble finding a new home. The latest reporting indicates that the Milwaukee Bucks have been unable to find a trade partner for Myles Turner, just one year after signing the former Pacers center to a four-year, $107 million contract. So…grass isn't always greener, is it? Alex and Facci revisit Turner's departure from Indiana and discuss why his current situation only reinforces the Pacers' decision to play hardball during contract negotiations. Was Indiana right to have reservations about paying Turner that type of money? How much of his success with the Pacers was enhanced by playing alongside an elite point guard in Tyrese Haliburton? And what does his current trade market say about the value of his contract around the league? The guys also look back at Milwaukee's decision to aggressively pursue Turner and how poorly that gamble has aged after just one season. From there, the conversation shifts back to Indiana and a bigger offseason question: Did the Pacers do enough in free agency? Alex and Facci evaluate Indiana's additions, how the new pieces fit around the returning core and whether the front office did enough to position this roster for another run at the top of the Eastern Conference. If the Pacers wanted to be more aggressive, what other moves were realistically available? Were there free agents Indiana should have pursued instead? Could they have spent their money differently? Or did the front office correctly prioritize fit, flexibility and continuity over making a splashier move? Finally, the guys wrap up the show with Ben Simmons officially returning to the NBA after sitting out last season. What does Simmons have left, what should expectations look like for the former All-Star and can he resurrect his career in Sacramento? Myles Turner's unwanted contract, Milwaukee's failed gamble, the Pacers' free-agency decisions and the return of Ben Simmons—a loaded episode of Setting The Pace! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Grass Isn’t So Green Now, Myles + Did Pacers Make the Right FA Moves

  6. Sep 8

    Should the Pacers Get Their Pick Back After Kawhi's Clippers Scandal?

    Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back, and there is A LOT to discuss after the NBA dropped the hammer on the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers were found to have violated the NBA's salary-cap circumvention rules involving Kawhi Leonard, resulting in massive penalties—including the loss of five future first-round picks. And somehow, the Indiana Pacers are directly involved in the fallout. One of the selections Los Angeles is losing is the Pacers' unprotected 2029 first-round pick, which Indiana originally sent to the Clippers as part of the trade for Ivica Zubac. So Alex and Facci ask the obvious question: Should the Pacers get their pick back? The guys debate whether Indiana should benefit from the Clippers' wrongdoing, why the NBA decided to eliminate the pick instead of returning it to the Pacers and whether losing one of the major assets from the deal changes how we should evaluate the Zubac trade from Los Angeles' perspective. Then, Alex and Facci go down the Kawhi Leonard rabbit hole and look at the incredible ripple effects his career decisions have had on the Pacers. From Kawhi leaving the Toronto Raptors for Los Angeles to everything that followed with the Clippers, the guys connect the dots on how decisions made years ago ultimately helped shape the Pacers roster we see today. It's a wild look at NBA history, trades, draft picks and how one superstar's decision can create ripple effects across the league for years. Should Indiana get its 2029 first-round pick back? Does this make the Zubac trade look even better for the Pacers? And just how much has Kawhi Leonard's Clippers era indirectly impacted Indiana? A fun, loaded episode centered around all of the Kawhi drama in Los Angeles—and the unexpected Pacers connection to it all. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Should the Pacers Get Their Pick Back After Kawhi's Clippers Scandal?

  7. Sep 6

    BREAKING: Cathy Engelbert Announces Retirement - Fever Focus Podcast

    Cathy Engelbert is stepping down as WNBA commissioner, and Casey reacts to the breaking news on Fever Focus. This episode takes a first look at Engelbert’s tenure, the timing of the announcement, and what her exit could mean for the league moving forward. There is credit to give for the WNBA’s growth, but also plenty of fair questions about how the league has handled its biggest moments, its biggest stars, and the increased spotlight around the game. Topics include: Engelbert’s retirement announcementThe growth of the WNBA during her time as commissionerWhy business success does not erase league-wide frustrationsThe public pressure that came with the Caitlin Clark eraOngoing questions about officiating, messaging, and player relationsWhat the next commissioner will be walking intoWhy this moment feels like a turning point for the leagueCasey breaks it all down on a solo edition of Fever Focus.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    BREAKING: Cathy Engelbert Announces Retirement - Fever Focus Podcast

  8. Sep 4

    Jarace Likely to Be Traded? + The Perfect Trey Murphy Trade Package (Mailbag Pt. 3)

    Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back for Part 3 of the September Mailbag, wrapping up this three-part series with questions about trades, Jarace Walker, the future of the Pacers' core, Rick Carlisle and some fun debates to close out the show! The guys start by revisiting Bennedict Mathurin's departure. After Mathurin signed with New Orleans for $8 million per season, should the Pacers have any regrets about how everything played out? If Indiana knew a year ago that Mathurin could be retained at that price, would things have gone differently? And when comparing him to Kelly Oubre Jr., who is ultimately the better fit for this Pacers roster? From there, Alex and Facci look at the financial future of the team. As this roster becomes more expensive, could players like Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, T.J. McConnell or Obi Toppin eventually take more team-friendly deals to help keep the core together? That leads directly into some Trey Murphy III trade talk. If Murphy becomes available, what type of package would Alex and Facci realistically be willing to give up to bring him to Indiana? Then, it's time for a lengthy Jarace Walker discussion. How big of a leap can he make this season after the way he finished last year? Will he finally secure consistent rotation minutes? And perhaps most importantly, what are the odds Jarace is still on the Pacers after the trade deadline? The guys also discuss whether Dalton Knecht could make sense as a potential target and look further into the future with a question about Rick Carlisle. If Indiana doesn't win a championship during this current two-year window, could Rick remain the Pacers' head coach beyond it? Finally, the mailbag gets weird—in the best way. Which Pacers jersey are Alex and Facci most excited to see this season? Who wins a game to 7 between Alex and Facci with the fate of the universe on the line? And who are the three greatest dunkers in Pacers history? Mathurin regrets, Trey Murphy trade packages, Jarace Walker's future, Rick Carlisle's timeline and some ridiculous debates to finish things off—a fun conclusion to the September Mailbag! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Jarace Likely to Be Traded? + The Perfect Trey Murphy Trade Package (Mailbag Pt. 3)
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About

Setting The Pace is a Pacers Podcast with Alex Golden and Mike Facci. Brought to you by the Blue Wire Podcast Network.

Information

  • Creator
    Blue Wire
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.6K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Alex Golden

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