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The Pacers Post Up
The Pacers Post Up
Author: Brad and Ryan Knight, Bleav
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© Brad and Ryan Knight 2024
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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.
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.
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For the first time since the blockbuster deadline deal, the Pacers faced the Clippers after sending Benn Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson to Los Angeles in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. Zubac still hasn’t suited up for Indiana, but the former Pacers made their presence felt immediately. Mathurin delivered a vintage scoring performance, attacking the rim, living at the free throw line, and finishing +32 in just 22 minutes. Jackson added his best game yet in a Clippers uniform, bringing energy and production against his former team. Meanwhile, Indiana’s defensive struggles continued as they allowed 130+ points for the fifth time since the All-Star break. We break down the emotional return for the former Pacers, what Mathurin’s night says about the trade, why Indiana once again looked overmatched, and how injuries and lineup instability continue to make wins hard to come by. With the Pacers still searching for their first win after the All-Star break, the slide toward the bottom of the standings continues. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
With 21 games remaining in what’s largely become a “lost” season, it’s officially evaluation time in Indiana. In this episode, we conduct a full roster stock report — breaking down every single Pacers player and where their value stands today. Who’s trending up and building a real case to be part of the long-term core? Who’s holding steady but still has questions to answer? And whose stock is quietly slipping as the franchise shifts its focus toward the draft lottery? Wins may not be the priority down the stretch, but development absolutely is. From young rotation pieces to deep-bench contributors and two-way players fighting for opportunity, we examine what these final 21 games truly mean for individual growth and the future direction of the organization. This isn’t about box scores. It’s about trajectory, role clarity, scalability, and who fits when the Pacers are ready to compete again.Every player. Every trend. Stock up or Stock down? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On this Sunday State of the Pacers, Brad and Ryan recap another tough week with losses to the 76ers, Hornets, and Grizzlies. The defense struggled and the offense couldn’t keep up, adding to the post All-Star break slide. The clear bright spot was Micah Potter, who had a strong week averaging 20 pts & 5 rbs off the bench, and rookie Kam Jones recorded a double-double on Sunday to round out a solid honorable mention. Looking ahead, the Pacers hit the road for a challenging West Coast trip against tough competition. The Benn Mathurin Bowl will kick things off on Wednesday before tough matchups against the Lakers and Blazers. We close with our usual dose of NBA delusion—Lu Dort, lying for no reason LeBron James, and why there should be some optimism from Pacers fans around recent players returning from Achilles injuries. It’s all here in your weekly State of the Pacers! 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 The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan recap Indiana’s 109-133 home loss to Charlotte on Feb 26 – their fifth straight defeat post-All-Star break, dropping to 15-45 on the season.Obi Toppin returned from stress fracture surgery with a warm ovation and early impact, but the defense collapsed again, allowing 130+ points for the 4th straight contest. Charlotte looked legit, extending a franchise-best 9-game road win streak to improve to 29-31. Rookie Kon Knueppel broke the NBA rookie single-season 3-point record (207th made) en route to 28 pts on 8-12 from deep, while Brandon Miller dropped 33. The Pacers’ offense stalled out early with a 12 point 2nd quarter, looking disjointed and unable to stop the bleeding. The brothers discuss Obi’s ramp-up, the ongoing defensive woes, Charlotte’s East rise, and the tank rolling on. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Pacers drop their fourth straight since the All-Star break, falling at home to the 76ers and surrendering 130+ points for the third time in that span. Earlier in the day, Rick Carlisle addressed the league’s recent sanctions and the injury investigation surrounding Aaron Nesmith, offering insight into how the organization is navigating both scrutiny and a mounting injury list. With Pascal Siakam sidelined due to a wrist injury and Johnny Furphy undergoing ACL surgery, the roster continues to thin while the losses pile up. Off the court, SVP of Player Personnel Ryan Carr departs for a GM role at Indiana University, adding another layer to a turbulent stretch. The lone bright spot on the night was a career performance from Micah Potter, but the bigger picture remains clear: the tank rolls on. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Pacers are 0–3 coming out of the All-Star break, including two rough road losses to the Wizards, and suddenly the tank promoters are feeling very validated. Indiana now sits firmly in the 2nd slot of the inverse standings — so is this a skid… or a strategy?
We kick off our first episode in a new series we are calling “Sunday State of the Pacers” breaking down:
What’s actually gone wrong in the three-game slide
Whether the tank narrative is gaining real momentum
Injury updates on TJ, Aaron, Obi, & Zu
Pascal Siakam’s return from personal reasons
And why we’re OK with “entertaining losses”
GOAT of the Week: Jarace “Karate” Walker
16 PTS | 12 REB | 6 AST on 31 minutes a night — is this the leap we’ve been waiting for?
Heat Check: Kobe Brown
Career high Sunday and shooting 58% from deep (13/7 splits) — real rotation piece going forward?
We preview the week ahead and what we will be watching for as the Pacers round out the home stand against Philly, Charlotte, and Memphis this week! We cover it all here on the inaugural Sunday State of the Pacers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this “0 and Two-ahhh” episode of The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan break down the very tanky post-ASB back-to-back losses in DC to the Wizards, dropping Indy to the 2nd-worst record league-wide. Tank haters are coming out in full force, but the youth showed flashes: Jarace Walker near triple-double territory, Jay Huff’s offensive outburst, Taelon Peter’s career high, and Ben Sheppard’s sneaky solid contributions. We talk about what can actually be taken away from these 2 games, celebrate the young guys stepping up, note the boosted top-4 pick chances, and react to Adam Silver/Shams signaling offseason anti-tanking tweaks. Apologies for the technical difficulties on this episode, but appreciate Pacers Nation hanging in there with us, as always! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this “Return to Basketball” episode of The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan gear up as the Indiana Pacers resume action with a back-to-back starting Thursday in DC against the Wizards—post-All-Star break edition! We give our final thoughts on the NBA tanking narrative: Mark Cuban’s viral X manifesto defending/embracing tanking (with his Mavericks history), Kevin Pritchard quote-tweeting it and polling Pacers fans on their stance, plus Rick Carlisle’s comments on the fine and his plan for working Ivica Zubac into the lineup. Pacers were back at practice this week—first injury report for the Wizards game drops Siakam out (personal reasons) and Zubac still sidelined (ankle sprain, no debut yet). We close out a jam-packed episode talking pure delusion with Kevin Durant’s latest burner account drama. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this All-Star Weekend recap episode of The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan break down the action from Intuit Dome! Pascal Siakam represented the Indiana Pacers proudly on Team World, holding his own in the new USA vs. World round-robin format. Adam Silver doubled down on tanking concerns, calling it worse than recent memory and hinting at big remedies ahead. The dunk contest was a total dud, but the new All-Star Game format had players buying in big: Wemby set the early tone, Kawhi Leonard exploded for 31 points to thrill the home crowd and advance USA Stripes, and games stayed competitive… until Ant Edwards and the young USA Stars ran the veteran “OGs” (USA Stripes) off the floor in the final as Ant-man won his first All-Star Game MVP. We recap everything from the weekend that was in Los Angeles. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this quick reaction episode of The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan dive headfirst into the NBA’s $100,000 fine against the Indiana Pacers for violating the Player Participation Policy in the Feb. 3 home loss to the Utah Jazz. Pascal Siakam was rested on the second night of a back-to-back, with other starters sidelined—despite the league’s investigation (including an independent physician) concluding they could have played under reduced minutes. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver didn’t hold back: “Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games.” We break down the fine, Silver’s pointed statement, and the glaring hypocrisy—why hammer load management/rest when the league turns a blind eye to foul-baiting stars like Jalen Brunson and SGA, or reckless/dirty play from Draymond Green and Lu Dort that actually endangers players? We get into all of it and tease a little bit around the All-Star weekend ahead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In Part 1 of this special 2-part crossover episode, Brad and Ryan are joined by Alex Golden from Setting the Pace! We kick off the 2026 All-Star Break with a quick recap of the Pacers gritty win over the Nets, share our collective thoughts on the blockbuster Ivica Zubac (and Kobe Brown) trade from the Clippers, and discuss Johnny Furphy’s season-ending ACL tear opening up minutes for newly acquired Kobe Brown. Then we dive into the buzzing NBA expansion talks—two new teams potentially coming, with existing franchises protecting just 8 players—who would the Pacers lock in? We wrap with the biggest remaining holes on this roster after the deadline. Be sure to catch Part 2 over on 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.
In this emergency injury update episode of The Pacers Post Up, Brad and Ryan break down the heartbreaking news rocking the Indiana Pacers: second-year forward Johnny Furphy has suffered a torn right ACL. Per Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, Furphy underwent an MRI in New York today after awkwardly landing following a dunk in Sunday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors. The results confirmed the tear, sidelining the promising Aussie swingman for the remainder of this already injury-ravaged season. This is yet another devastating blow for a Pacers team that’s been decimated by injuries. We discuss what Furphy’s absence means for the lineup, his breakout flashes this year, the mounting frustration in Indy, and whether this cursed season can find any silver lining. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Pacers first-round pick is officially on the line — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode, we take a full deep dive into the NBA Draft Lottery and what it means for Indiana’s future. With a top-4 protected pick, spots 5–9 heading to the Clippers, and 10–30 staying in Indy, every loss (and win) down the stretch matters. Miss the protection window this year, and the cost jumps to an unprotected 2031 first-round pick. We break down:how the NBA Draft Lottery actually works, The Pacers current lottery position and exact odds from every slot, what finish gives Indiana the best chance to land in the top 4, and just how tantalizing a shot at a loaded draft class could be — featuring names like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. This is the math, strategy, and reality check behind one of the most important Pacers picks in years that all the sudden just got WAY more interesting. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We take a deeper dive on the Ivica Zubac trade and close the book on the Bennedict Mathurin era in Indiana. In this episode, we make our last, clearest case for why this deal had to happen — why moving Benn was necessary, and why the Pacers ultimately nailed the timing and the return. We break down Zubac’s fit on both ends of the floor, how his physicality, rebounding, and defensive presence immediately change the identity of this team, and why having a bona fide starting center unlocks everything the Pacers want to be. With a legitimate defensive anchor in place and a potential top-4 pick looming, we zoom out and talk about where this franchise is headed next season — and why this move signals the Pacers are not just flirting with the future, but are ready to push their chips in and win now. This one is about clarity, conviction, and the start of the Pacers next real window. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Pacers just pushed every chip to the center of the table. Indiana lands Ivica Zubac in what can only be described as a home-run, win-now trade by Kevin Pritchard. Giving up Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 first, the 2029 first, and a Dallas 2028 second isn’t cheap — but this is the exact type of swing championship teams have to make. Zubac brings elite size, physicality, rebounding, and defensive presence — everything this roster has been missing in the postseason. An All-NBA caliber defender last season, he instantly stabilizes the paint, changes matchups, and unlocks Indiana’s ceiling over the next few years. Big risk. Bigger belief. Kudos to Kevin Pritchard for getting his guy and officially putting the Pacers in championship mode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It was a busy and telling stretch at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the Pacers navigated back-to-back home games — and watched the trade landscape begin to shift around the league. The week starts with Pascal Siakam earning his spot as an NBA All-Star, a deserved recognition for being the steady anchor through a season filled with change. On the floor, Indiana runs into a physical Houston Rockets squad whose size proved overwhelming — dominating the Pacers on the glass and at the free-throw line in a close loss on Monday night. The follow-up against the Utah Jazz told a very different story. With Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, and Bennedict Mathurin all resting, the Pacers leaned heavily on their young core. Despite the loss, the young guys showed real flashes — energy, shot-making, and defensive activity — offering optimism in a night focused more on development than results. Brad and Ryan also zoom out to discuss the first trade dominoes beginning to fall around the league, what it could mean for Indiana as the deadline approaches, and how the Pacers fit into an increasingly active market. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What started as an AI autocorrect gaff has turned into a running joke — and now, maybe something more. Brad and Ryan lean into the accidental nickname Jarace “Karate” Walker while breaking down the very real rise of Jarace Walker after an incredibly rough start to the season. Once written off by much of Pacers Nation, Jarace has quietly emerged from the ashes with a stretch of play that’s changing the conversation. Over the last month, the numbers — and the film — are finally lining up. The three-point shooting looks real, the turnovers are down, and his defensive impact is starting to pop, highlighted by his ninja-like hands (hence “Karate”) and a five-steal performance against Atlanta. Is this a real breakthrough? A sign of long-term growth? Maybe it’s just the beginning of what the Pacers hoped they were getting all along. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, Brad and Ryan zoom out to survey the league — and then zoom back in on where the Indiana Pacers fit into the chaos. The conversation starts with the biggest potential domino of them all: Giannis Antetokounmpo — and what ripple effects a shift at the top could create across the association. From there, we work our way through other notable names and situations to monitor, separating real possibilities from noise. For Indiana, the focus sharpens around two key questions: Which centers might realistically be available — and at what cost? And does Bennedict Mathurin ultimately get moved before next Thursday’s deadline as the Pacers weigh value, fit, and timing? Big-picture league movement, Pacers-specific angles, and how everything could connect once the first domino falls. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
For most of the night, it felt like another quiet, forgettable performance. Then everything flipped. The Indiana Pacers erase a 14-point deficit with a stunning 26–9 run to close the game, storming past the Chicago Bulls at home for win No. 12 on the season — their third victory over Chicago this year. Pascal Siakam led the charge with 13 points in the fourth quarter, while Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith delivered clutch shot-making when it mattered most. On the defensive end, Johnny Furphy and Nesmith made key stops down the stretch to seal the comeback. A game that looked destined to fade away turned into one of the Pacers most exciting finishes of the season — effort, execution, and belief showing up right on time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
With All-Star reserve spots up for grabs, the margin is razor thin. Brad and Ryan break down the crowded field — roughly 9–10 legitimate candidates for 7 reserve spots — and make the case for why Pascal Siakam deserves to hear his name called. Despite the Pacers lack of team success, Siakam has quietly done more with less than many of his peers in the conversation. While others benefit from stability and surrounding talent, Pascal has been the steady anchor for a roster plagued by injuries, lineup changes, and constant rotation churn. Game winners. Night-to-night consistency. An elite all-around stat line. This episode lays out why coaches should reward impact, responsibility, and reliability — not just team record — when casting their votes for the NBA All-Star Game. Call it homerism if you want — but the case is real, and the production backs it up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.























