From Busts to Stars: The History of the No. 3 Pick + Drafting the Best 3rd Overall Picks Since 2001

Alex Golden is joined by Bryce Simon of the Game Theory Podcast for a deep dive into the top of the NBA Draft and the future of the Indiana Pacers. The guys discuss: The Top 4 prospects in this year’s draft class How each player could fit with Indiana What the Pacers could look like with or without a Top 4 pick They also zoom out to evaluate the bigger picture: How would last year’s Pacers team stack up against the current Eastern Conference landscape? Alex and Bryce discuss: Where Indiana would realistically rank in the East Which teams improved the most And what the Pacers still need to become true contenders again A loaded episode filled with draft analysis, roster projection and Eastern Conference discussion. 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 and Mike Facci continue their NBA Draft history series with a deep dive into the history of the No. 4 overall pick. The guys begin by examining how the team with the fourth-worst record has historically performed on lottery night, especially in the era of flattened lottery odds. Then, things get fun. Alex and Facci go head-to-head in a snake draft, selecting 20 players from the last 25 No. 4 overall picks to build their ultimate teams. Along the way, they discuss: Which No. 4 picks exceeded expectations The biggest busts and surprises How this draft slot has evolved over time To close things out, the guys discuss Caleb Wilson, where he would rank among recent No. 4 selections, and just how high his long-term ceiling could be. A fun mix of draft history, debate and future projection. 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 and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of Fever Focus, and today the guys react to the latest WNBA GM Survey — and why they believe the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark are being massively overlooked by league executives. The conversation dives into: Why the Fever deserve more respect entering the season Which survey answers stood out the most How Clark continues to impact the league conversation Then, the guys pivot to a fascinating roster-building discussion: Should Indiana explore a trade for Cameron Brink from the Los Angeles Sparks? Alex and Casey discuss: How Brink would fit with Indiana’s core What a potential trade package could look like Whether the Fever should make a major swing now or continue building patiently A passionate episode filled with league discourse, roster debate and Fever expectations. 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 Dustin Dopirak of the Indy Star to break down the Pacers selecting T. J. McConnell as their representative for the NBA Draft Lottery. The guys discuss: Why T.J. was the right choice for the spotlight Other candidates who would have made sense in that role What his presence could mean on lottery night Then, the conversation shifts to the draft. Alex and Dustin take a deep dive into the Top 4 prospects, discussing: How each player would fit with the Pacers What each prospect is elite at Dustin’s ranking of the top four players Whether someone outside that group could crack the Top 4 And which team could shake up the consensus order A mix of lottery talk, draft analysis and insider perspective as Indiana prepares for a pivotal moment. Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! The Athletic Feature on Darryn Peterson by CJ Moore 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 David Cole for a deep dive into the importance of the No. 1 overall pick and why Pacers fans are hoping for lottery luck. The guys start by examining how the best odds for the No. 1 pick have historically played out, and why landing at the top of the draft can be truly franchise-altering. They also discuss: Who Indiana would select if they landed the No. 1 pick How this year’s class fits into the conversation What separates a good No. 1 pick from a great one Then, the episode takes a fun turn. Alex and David go head-to-head in a snake draft, selecting 20 players from the last 25 No. 1 overall picks to build out two full teams. A mix of history, projection and competition centered around the most valuable pick in the NBA Draft. 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.

The Indiana Fever fall to the Dallas Wings in Preseason Game #2, and Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are here to break it all down on Fever Focus. A disastrous second quarter proved too much to overcome, but there were still plenty of takeaways from the game. The guys discuss: Caitlin Clark’s standout performance, finishing with 21 points while getting to the line consistently Clark having her final rookie contract year picked up, setting up a major payday in the near future What stood out from the bench unit and which players are making a case for minutes Ranking the third-string core (1–4) based on performance and potential They also touch on some concerns, including: A rough showing from Damiris Dantas in her first action Whether Makayla Timpson could earn more minutes if current trends continue Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s solo episode of Setting The Pace, Alex Golden reacts to Chad Buchanan’s appearance on 107.5 The Fan with JMV, where the Pacers GM provided key insight into the team’s current direction. Chad discusses: The risk behind trading their pick to the Clippers with protections — and why Indiana still made the move Why the Pacers believe they are operating within a two-year championship window How the front office plans to navigate losing the pick if it conveys Their perspective on the current roster construction Plus, one of the biggest questions: Would the Pacers consider trading a Top 4 pick if they retain it on lottery night? Alex breaks it all down, reacting to Chad’s comments, comparing them to Indiana’s recent moves, and analyzing what it all means for the Pacers moving forward. A deep dive into the front office mindset and the future of the franchise. 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 and Mike Facci are back with a fun and informative deep dive into the history of the No. 3 overall pick. The guys start by looking at the flattened lottery odds era, examining how the team with the third-worst record has performed in recent draft lotteries and what that could mean moving forward. Then, they take a trip through history — reviewing every No. 3 overall pick since 2001, highlighting the hits, misses and everything in between. To make things even more fun, Alex and Facci go head-to-head in a draft, selecting players taken No. 3 overall to build their own starting five and a sixth man. Plus, Alex puts Facci to the test with a question about the Indiana Pacers’ history with the No. 3 pick. 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 and Mike Facci wrap up their position-by-position trade target series by focusing on one of Indiana’s biggest needs: backup point guard. The guys break down three guards the Pacers could realistically target via trade — players who can bring stability, playmaking and scoring punch to the second unit. They also discuss: What each guard would bring to the roster What kind of trade package it would take to acquire them How each player fits alongside Tyrese Haliburton Then, the conversation shifts to the draft. Alex and Facci take a look at second-round prospects who could be worth targeting to add depth at the point guard position — whether through Indiana’s picks or by trading into the round. 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 and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of Fever Focus, joined by WNBA analyst Meghan McKeown (ION, ESPN and Connecticut Sun game analyst). The conversation dives deep into the Indiana Fever’s offseason, including why Raven Johnson looks like such a strong fit for this roster and early takeaways from Indiana’s preseason win over the New York Liberty. The crew also discusses: Areas of concern for the Fever’s roster construction Which team in the WNBA improved the most this offseason Way-too-early WNBA Finals predictions Thoughts on league expansion and how teams will adjust The future of the Connecticut Sun and their planned move to Houston Plus, Casey shares a great story about meeting T. J. McConnell's father at a Pacers game and then getting to tell T.J. and Megan McConnell all about it at their meet and greet with fans.  A loaded interview filled with insight, perspective and plenty of WNBA talk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.