DiscoverThe Pacers Post Up
The Pacers Post Up
Claim Ownership

The Pacers Post Up

Author: Brad and Ryan Knight, Bleav

Subscribed: 5Played: 68
Share

Description

Brad and Ryan Knight, affectionately known as The Brothers of Basketball, are lifelong Indiana Pacers fans turned podcast hosts who bring heart, humor, and hoops knowledge to The Pacers Post Up, a show built entirely by fans, for fans.

Brad’s love for the Pacers dates back to the Reggie Miller era—the legendary playoff heroics, the fierce Eastern Conference Finals battles, and the team’s lone trip to the NBA Finals in 2000 are part of his basketball DNA. He still vividly remembers watching the Malice at the Palace unfold in his parents’ living room. That deep-rooted connection only grew over the years. Brad’s wife has been a Pacemate for 8 seasons, and he credits their parents’ investment in season tickets as a key part of the family’s shared bond with the Blue and Gold.

Ryan, a few years younger, missed the height of the Reggie era but became fully indoctrinated during the Paul George years—when the Pacers battled LeBron and the Heat year after year. A proud member of the G2 Fan Zone in the late 2010s and the world’s biggest Lance Stephenson fan, Ryan brings unapologetic energy and passion to the pod.

Together, Brad and Ryan launched The Pacers Post Up as a passion project to give Pacers fans a voice in the media landscape. Their goal has always been to deliver meaningful basketball conversation in a way that’s accessible, insightful, and fun. Whether diving into analytics and X’s and O’s or riding high on the emotional wave of a big win, their show strikes a balance that keeps fans informed and entertained.

Since launching, the brothers have followed the team from Vegas (for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament) to Paris (for the NBA Global Games), covered the All-Star Weekend in Indy, and chronicled this new golden era of Pacers basketball with playoff runs to the Eastern Conference Finals.

They bleed blue and gold and love nothing more than building community through the game that’s meant so much to their lives.
169 Episodes
Reverse
We wrap up our three-part midseason report card series by tackling the most debated position on the roster: Center. Brad and Ryan hand out letter grades and classroom-style comps for every big man who’s logged minutes this season, breaking down roles, production, fit, and limitations within the Pacers’ system. We discuss what’s worked, what clearly hasn’t, and why the position remains the biggest unresolved question as the season hits its midpoint. The conversation zooms out to the bigger picture — how roster construction, matchup realities, and schematic needs have shaped the Pacers approach, and why the front office is almost certainly gearing up for change. Whether that answer comes via trade, the draft, or free agency, one thing is clear: the center position will define the next phase of this rebuild. Honest grades, clear-eyed evaluation, and a look ahead at what has to be addressed moving forward. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Part 2 of our midseason report card series turns the focus to the wings and forwards — the most versatile and identity-shaping group on the Pacers roster. Brad and Ryan hand out letter grades and classroom-style comps for the Pacers frontcourt and wing rotation, including Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy, and the rest of the group tasked with defending, spacing the floor, and bridging lineups on both ends. We evaluate production, role clarity, growth, and fit — who’s delivered, who’s developing, and who’s still finding consistency as the season hits its midpoint. The conversation also zooms out to examine how this group supports the core, what it means for lineup flexibility, and how these pieces factor into the Pacers long-term vision. Honest grades, fair critiques, and context for where the wings and forwards stand heading into the second half. Next up: Centers — and the biggest questions still left to answer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We’re kicking off a three-part midseason report card series with a deep dive into the Pacers guard rotation. In Part 1, Brad and Ryan hand out letter grades and classroom-style comps for every guard on the roster — including Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, Kam Jones, and the two-way contributors. We evaluate roles, consistency, growth, and fit within the team’s identity at the halfway point of the season. Who’s exceeded expectations? Who’s still finding their footing? And which guards are shaping the future of this roster? Honest grades, clear reasoning, and a snapshot of where the backcourt stands heading into the second half. Next up: Wings & Forwards… then Centers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
At the halfway point of the season, Brad and Ryan step back to assess what we’ve learned so far — and what it all means moving forward — with a Top 10 takeaways breakdown of the Indiana Pacers. We dive into the evolving core, including what we’re seeing from Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith, and how their roles and responsibilities have shaped the team’s identity through the first half. We also take stock of the young players — who’s trending up, who’s finding their footing, and what development has looked like in real time. The center position remains a major storyline, and we revisit where our preseason expectations missed the mark, what’s changed, and why it’s still one of the biggest questions the front office will need to answer. We’re honest about where we were wrong, what surprised us, and how the season has shifted our outlook. Finally, we look ahead. With Tyrese Haliburton working towards his return, the front office active in trade conversations, and a potential top draft pick looming this offseason, there’s real reason for optimism — even in a season filled with turbulence. A clear-eyed midseason reset, big-picture context, and why the Pacers future remains very much in play. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Pacers knock off the Boston Celtics behind a late-game winner from Pascal Siakam, extending their winning streak to three games — their longest of the season and currently tied for the longest active streak in the NBA. Andrew Nembhard once again controlled the game with his playmaking, while Jay Huff delivered one of his best offensive performances of the year. Brad and Ryan discuss what this recent 3–0 stretch means — the feeling of winning again, the boost to confidence and continuity — while also grappling with the bigger picture. As the season nears its midpoint, how should fans balance meaningful wins with draft lottery implications, knowing every victory pushes a top-five pick further away? A statement win, a hot streak, and big questions ahead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Two weeks after giving up 142 points in Miami, the Pacers flipped the script in emphatic fashion. Indiana goes wire to wire in a blowout win over the Miami Heat, holding Miami under 100 points and delivering one of their most complete performances of the season. Andrew Nembhard led the way with a big night, pouring in 29 points, 9 assists, and 0 turnovers, continuing to flourish in an expanded lead-guard role after an injury-riddled and uneven start to the year. His control, pace, and decision-making set the tone from the opening tip. The Pacers also made a notable frontcourt adjustment, going small-ball to match up with Bam Adebayo, starting Pascal Siakam and Johnny Furphy together. The centers did enough in their minutes, the spacing paid dividends, and Indiana’s ball movement and shot-making never let Miami settle in. Young contributors Furphy and Jarace Walker delivered strong performances, the ball popped, and the defensive intensity never dipped — a complete team win that showed growth, adaptability, and confidence. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The streak is over — and history finally breaks the right way. The Indiana Pacers take down the Charlotte Hornets behind huge veteran performances from Pascal Siakam and T.J. McConnell, snapping the franchise-record 13-game losing streak and delivering Rick Carlisle his 1,000th career win, making him just the 11th coach in NBA history to reach the milestone. With the game tied and four minutes to go, Carlisle called a crucial timeout to settle the group — and the Pacers responded. Ben Sheppard came up with massive rebounds down the stretch, Siakam buried the go-ahead bucket, and McConnell delivered his patented late-game steal to essentially seal it. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t perfect. But it was a real team win — and one the locker room desperately needed. We break down how it happened, why it mattered, and what it could mean moving forward. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It was always going to be a historic night in Indiana — just not the kind anyone hoped for. The Pacers fall 120–116 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and instead of celebrating Rick Carlisle’s 1,000th career win, the franchise sets an unfortunate mark with its 13th consecutive loss. Indiana controlled much of the night, winning quarters one through three, but a complete dud in the fourth proved costly as Cleveland closed the door late. Despite strong shooting performances from Jay Huff, Ben Sheppard, and Jarace Walker, and a highlight-filled night from Johnny Furphy — including a transition slam and 11 rebounds — the Pacers couldn’t overcome a 48–32 rebounding deficit that kept the Cavs within striking distance all game. Now the focus shifts forward. Indiana heads to face a resurgent Charlotte Hornets team, hoping to snap the streak, regain momentum, and finally get Rick Carlisle to win No. 1,000. We break it all down — what went wrong, what showed promise, and what has to change Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ryan is back in the fold as we recap a frustrating — yet competitive — loss that ties a franchise record: 12 straight defeats. The Pacers played solid basketball for long stretches against the Orlando Magic, but one disastrous stretch proved too much to overcome. A 17–0 run in the second quarter, capped by Orlando pouring in 41 points on 72% shooting, swung the game and forced Indiana to play uphill the rest of the way. Despite that, the Pacers showed real fight. Indiana still held a lead at the 7:29 mark of the fourth quarter, but execution down the stretch once again came up short — wasting big nights from Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith. It’s now 12 losses in a row, and the spotlight turns to Tuesday night at home, where the Pacers face the Cleveland Cavaliers with a chance — for better or worse — to break the franchise record. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Pacers’ skid continues. Brad joins Alex Golden on Setting the Pace to break down Indiana’s 11th consecutive loss, a frustrating home defeat to the San Antonio Spurs that leaves the Pacers one shy of a franchise record losing streak. Rebounding and second-chance points told the story all night, as Indiana once again struggled to finish defensive possessions. The guys discuss a rough outing for Benn Mathurin (2 points in 20 minutes), while also highlighting some intriguing lineup notes — including extended run for Kam Jones, who posted a +16 in just 10 minutes, and a solid night for Micah Potter, who delivered a career-high performance in his first career start with the Pacers. To cap things off, and in honor of Potter wearing No. 11, Alex and Brad lighten the mood with a Pacers draft — selecting a starting five and sixth man made up of every player in franchise history to wear No. 11. A tough loss, honest conversation, and a little Pacers history — all in one crossover episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It’s a new year — and a new era for The Pacers Post Up! In our first episode presented by FanDuel, Brad and Ryan go all in with a Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions episode for the Indiana Pacers in 2026 — and this one sets the tone for everything that comes next. From the future of the roster to the urgency of finding a long-term answer at center, to Tyrese Haliburton reclaiming his superstar trajectory, and the crossroads facing Benn Mathurin. We touch on draft philosophy, the importance of remembering how to win, and expectations for the remainder of this season and the start of next — nothing is off limits. This isn’t surface-level optimism or hot takes. It’s a clear-eyed, honest, and passionate blueprint for what has to happen in 2026 if the Pacers want to make a run back to the NBA Finals! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We’re ringing in the New Year with a big announcement — The Pacers Post Up is officially partnering with FanDuel, with our sponsorship kicking off January 1, 2026. To mark the moment, Brad and Ryan take a midseason look at the betting landscape across the NBA — revisiting preseason over/under win totals, playoff odds, championship futures, and individual award races — and how the league has shifted since October. From there, we bring it home to the Indiana Pacers: where their team lines stand now, which player props and futures feel most telling, and what the numbers say about expectations versus reality at the halfway point of the season. The episode also tees up our first FanDuel-presented show dropping January 1, setting the stage for what’s ahead in the second half of the season — and a new chapter for the pod. Happy New Year, Pacers fans! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Pacers have now lost eight straight games for the second time this season, surrendering 140-plus points to both Boston and Miami over a brutal weekend stretch. Despite moments of competitive play, Indiana once again couldn’t sustain defensive stops or close games when it mattered most. There were a few bright spots: Aaron Nesmith returned to the lineup in Miami after missing time since mid-November, and Andrew Nembhard dished out a career-high 16 assists in the loss to the Heat. But the bigger picture remains troubling as the Pacers continue to give up massive scoring nights while struggling to string together consistent stretches on both ends. Brad and Ryan break down what’s gone wrong during this skid, what we are seeing from the young guys like Furphy/Walker/Mathurin, and what the Pacers need to show in their final two games as they close out a memorable 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The 12 Days of Centers series comes to a close with a full-circle finale — and some much-needed clarity. We’re joined by Alex Golden from the Setting the Pace podcast to revisit every center we’ve discussed throughout the series and stack them up. Alex brings a tier-based approach to the conversation, helping separate realistic options from dream scenarios — and short-term fits from long-term solutions. Together, we debate what truly matters for the Pacers center of the future, break down where each candidate lands within those tiers, and challenge our own assumptions along the way. From bold ideas to grounded expectations, this finale ties the entire series together — and sets the stage for what’s next. Happy Holidays, Pacers fans! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Day 11 of the 12 Days of Centers takes a step back into Pacers past to answer a fun but loaded question: If you could drop any center from franchise history onto the current roster, who would it be? Brad and Ryan debate a wide range of Pacers bigs—from the dominance of Jermaine O’Neal, the skill and shooting of Rik Smits and Brad Miller, the playmaking of Domantas Sabonis, the rim protection of Roy Hibbert, to the toughness and winning impact of Mel Daniels, Jeff Foster, and more. We explore how each would fit alongside today’s roster, what their games would look like in the modern NBA, and which Pacers center would best elevate a team with championship aspirations. A nostalgia-filled episode with plenty of “what ifs” and strong opinions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Day 10 of our 12 Days of Centers series shifts the focus from trades and free agency to the draft — because sometimes the long-term answer is found on draft night. In this episode, we break down three early 2026 NBA Draft prospects who could factor into the Pacers search for frontcourt help. We start with Cam Boozer, who may not be a traditional center but is very much in play if Indiana finds itself picking in the top five. His versatility, skill level, and two-way upside make him a fascinating frontcourt building block, even if the positional label says “forward.” We also dive into two true bigs: Jayden Quaintance, the powerful and athletic Kentucky sophomore with real defensive presence and physicality, and Chris Cenac Jr., the Houston freshman whose length, mobility, and rim protection profile point toward modern center upside. This episode is less about certainty and more about projection — what the Pacers might prioritize if the draft becomes their clearest path to solving the center question. Developmental timelines, roster fit, and upside all take center stage as we look ahead to what could be a franchise-shaping draft. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Day 9 of our 12 Days of Centers series brings a special 2-for-1 — and it’s a dream scenario. We take a deep dive into Miami Heat bigs Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware, two very different centers who both feel unlikely based on contract and availability… but would completely change the Pacers ceiling if the door ever cracked open. Bam represents the ultimate plug-and-play veteran: elite defensive versatility, playmaking from the five, switchability, and a skill set that checks almost every box this roster needs. Ware, on the other hand, is the upside swing — a young, bouncy big who adds rim protection, vertical spacing, and a growing stretch element that fits perfectly with Indiana’s pace and offensive identity. Neither path is likely realistic — and that’s kind of the point. As we get deeper into the series, this episode is about exploring the ideal fits and understanding what the Pacers would look like if they swung for the fences. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Brad and Ryan roll on with The 12 Days of Centers by examining Robert Williams III, one of the most impactful defensive centers in the league when healthy. “Time Lord” brings elite rim protection, explosive vertical spacing, and a proven ability to anchor a top-tier defense at the highest level. The guys break down Williams’ fit next to Tyrese Haliburton, highlighting his lob gravity, help-side instincts, and playoff-tested defensive presence. They also dive into the elephant in the room—durability. With a lengthy injury history, the conversation centers on risk vs. reward, contract value, and whether Indiana could manage his minutes while maximizing his elite skill set. Is Robert Williams III a ceiling-raising defensive swing worth betting on—or too volatile to build around long term? Day 8 breaks it all down. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Brad and Ryan continue The 12 Days of Centers with a deep dive on Nic Claxton, one of the most intriguing defensive bigs on the market. Claxton brings elite switchability, rim protection, and mobility—traits that fit seamlessly next to Tyrese Haliburton in an up-tempo system. The guys break down Claxton’s evolution in Brooklyn, his ability to guard in space while still protecting the rim, and why his vertical spacing and defensive versatility could unlock another level for the Pacers. They also discuss the concerns: limited offensive creation, durability questions, and what the realistic trade price might look like. Is Claxton the modern defensive anchor Indiana has been missing—or is the cost too steep for a non-scoring center? All that and more in Day 7. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Brad continues the 12 Days of Centers with one of the most proven defensive anchors in the NBA: Jarrett Allen. A rim-running big with elite rebounding, shot-blocking, and vertical spacing, Allen brings exactly the kind of interior presence the Pacers have lacked for years. We break down his fit next to Tyrese Haliburton as a lob threat and screen-setter, his ability to clean up defensive mistakes, and whether his contract and skill set align with Indiana’s long-term Finals aspirations. The big question: is Allen the steady, no-nonsense center who helps raise the Pacers floor — or does his limited offensive range cap the ceiling of this roster? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
loading
Comments