Built vs Bought: Is There a Right Way to Build an NBA Team?

Alex Golden is joined by David Cole to look back on the Top 10 wins of the season, highlighting the games that stood out most during what has been a challenging year for the Indiana Pacers. From statement victories to unexpected performances, the guys revisit the moments that gave fans something to hold onto and discuss why these wins mattered in the bigger picture. Then, the conversation shifts to a serious topic around the league. Alex and David discuss the situation involving Jaden Ivey, who was reportedly waived by the Chicago Bulls following comments inappropriate comments. The guys share their thoughts on the situation; how multiple Pacers fans wanted him in the NBA Draft and how that not working was a good thing for Indiana. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden is joined by Casey Johnson for a packed episode of Setting The Pace. The guys start with Bennedict Mathurin’s emotional return, reflecting on the moment and what it meant for both Mathurin and the Pacers. They then break down the wild ending to Pacers-Clippers, one of the more chaotic finishes of the season, before shifting to Indiana’s continued dominance over Miami as they blast the Heat once again. Plus, Alex and Casey share an exciting announcement about more basketball coverage together, and Casey wraps things up with a major personal announcement involving his band. Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden is joined by Chris Weech to break down the other side of the draft lottery conversation. What happens if the Pacers don’t land a Top-4 pick? The guys explore Indiana’s options, from draft strategy to potential pivots, and what it would mean for the team’s roster-building approach moving forward. Then, they zoom out to the bigger picture. How long is the championship window for the Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam era? Are the Pacers on the clock, or is there still runway to build this thing the right way? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Mike Facci is joined by Derek Kramer of iPacers to break down an electric night from Andrew Nembhard, who dished out a career-high 19 assists against a star-studded Lakers team led by Luka Dončić and LeBron James. The Pacers found themselves in a massive hole early, but battled back in impressive fashion — cutting the deficit to just six and giving themselves a real shot at a stunning comeback. Facci and Derek discuss: Nembhard’s incredible playmaking performance How Indiana nearly flipped the game late What fueled the comeback effort And what ultimately fell short A near miracle, a breakout performance, and plenty to unpack from a wild night in LA. You can read Alex's game recap on Sports Illustrated here: Luka and LeBron Too Much for Nembhard, Pacers Read Alex's Latest NBA Mock Draft! You can also check out Alex's latest article on AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson.  Mock Draft: Pre–Sweet 16 NBA Mock Draft: Indiana Pacers Make Aggressive Trade Top 3 Deep Dive: Pacers Draft Watch: Boozer, Dybantsa and Peterson Impress in Opening Weekend Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Read Alex's Latest NBA Mock Draft!  You can also check out Alex's latest article on AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson.  Alex Golden is joined by Bob Kravitz for a deep dive into the top prospects in the upcoming NBA Draft. The conversation starts with Bob’s thoughts on the Zubac/Mathurin trade, before shifting into a detailed breakdown of the draft’s biggest names. Bob shares why he believes AJ Dybantsa is a lock for the No. 1 overall pick, explains why Darryn Peterson may be more misunderstood than problematic, and raises concerns about the ceiling of Cameron Boozer. The guys also discuss: The intrigue surrounding Caleb Wilson Why Darius Acuff projects as a true offensive engine And the impressive talent of Keaton Wagler This episode is packed with strong opinions, draft insight and big-picture perspective on the future of the league. Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex's NBA Mock Draft: Pacers Win the NBA Draft Lottery but Trade OUT of the No. 1 overall spot!  The streak is finally over. The Indiana Pacers snap their franchise-worst 16-game losing streak, thanks to a dominant 37-point performance from Pascal Siakam, who continues to shine despite a challenging season for the team. Alex and Facci break down what went right in the win, how Siakam took control of the game, and whether this performance can carry momentum into the final stretch of the season. Then, the guys shift gears to the future as we dive into Alex's latest Mock Draft for Sports Illustrated, walking through key selections, potential fits for Indiana, and how the draft board could shake out depending on lottery position. A long-awaited win… and a look ahead at what’s next for the Pacers. Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of Setting The Pace, Alex Golden and Mike Facci dive into a massive shift for the Pacers. Ivica Zubac is out for the season, and the guys discuss what this means for Indiana’s short-term outlook and long-term plans at the center position. Then, they turn their attention to the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, where the top 3 draft prospects delivered big-time performances. Who stood out? And which of the 3 could realistically fit what Indiana needs? The conversation also shifts to roster-building philosophy, specifically how the Pacers have historically navigated overpaying at the center position. And finally, things get a little heated...The guys react to recent comments from Myles Turner, sharing their thoughts on his perspective and why his words about Indiana raised some eyebrows. Especially calling Indiana a city... Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of Setting The Pace, Alex Golden and Mike Facci take a step back to look at the bigger picture. What’s the right way to build an NBA team? The guys dive into the idea of “Built vs Bought”, using the Pacers as a case study to examine how Indiana has constructed its roster — through development, trades and patience — rather than chasing stars in free agency. They discuss: How the Pacers have built their current core Whether there’s a true “right” or “wrong” way to team build How Indiana’s approach compares to teams that buy talent through trades or free agency And what strategy gives teams the best chance to sustain success Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike Facci is joined by Derek Schultz to break down the Pacers’ loss to the Trail Blazers — a defeat that marks Indiana’s 15th straight loss, extending a franchise-worst skid. Despite the result, there were some intriguing developments. The guys discuss Jalen Slawson’s career night, as he stepped up in a big way and made the most of his opportunity. They also highlight how the third unit nearly sparked an unlikely comeback, showing energy and fight late in the game. Facci and Derek dive into: What went wrong in the loss Why the losing streak has reached this point The encouraging signs from Slawson and the deep bench And how the Ivica Zubac trade continues to factor into the bigger picture A brutal stretch continues… but there are still things worth watching. Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden is joined by Brad and Ryan Knight of Pacers Post Up to break down a historically bad night for Indiana. The Pacers drop their 14th straight game, setting a new franchise record for the longest losing streak. The guys start by unpacking how it happened, what went wrong in this latest loss, and why this stretch has spiraled the way it has. Then, the episode shifts into full evaluation mode. Alex, Brad and Ryan play a game of “Should He Stay or Should He Go?”, going through the bottom 11 players on the roster and debating who should realistically be part of the team next season. Who’s worth keeping? Who’s expendable? And who still has something to prove? Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.