
Before Game 1 at NOLA
Didn't we have OKC and Twolves for preseason last year too?

Didn't we have OKC and Twolves for preseason last year too?
Source: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db\_Asamumvc/?igsh=emxvdDg2Z2sxazBr
It was only Hali's shingles meds that made him gain weight... Culvers could never 👀 😂
Indiana Pacers eye return to elite status as Tyrese Haliburton's health sparks optimism, but can Ivica Zubac’s arrival reshape the team’s identity? High expectations follow last season’s disappointing 19-win campaign, with questions swirling around Haliburton’s Achilles recovery and how Zubac will replace Myles Turner's versatile presence at center.
Josh Lloyd and Tony East spotlight Kelly Oubre’s fit, Andrew Nembhard’s role realignment, and the ongoing need for reliable wing depth. They analyze Rick Carlisle’s rotation strategies, discuss Pascal Siakam’s underrated consistency, and debate if the Pacers’ core can keep up in a hyper-competitive Eastern Conference. With projected win totals and key position battles looming, is Indiana headed back to the Finals, or will new challenges keep them from reaching their ceiling?
New Beginnings...
Source: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbwTHrex2i0/?igsh=ODAzc3E2NnVjZ3I3
Am the one who posted about doing the rail pass last week, and got delayed on the Empire Builder...
So coming from the Empire Builder last week that arrived im Chicago after 8 hours, boarded the Texas Eagle 421 bound for LA.
Ran into some tornado warnings, thunderstorms, and got delayed due to flooding on the way south to San Antonio.
We joined the Sunset Limited (we were already 4 hrs delayed). A few minutes ago, we got a message that a freight train was derailed west of El Paso, which would not allow the train to continue on. We would be taking buses onwards.
That bus ride will be alot longer than the Portland-Spokane bus. 🫣
Just arriving now in El Paso.
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Pacer fan here. This interview was shared in our sub, and since I didnt see it in here, I thought to share it.
Dray did great in his interview, and happy that Coach Rick was able to give him his flowers at the beginning.
By Tony East
Jul 30, 2026, 08:00am EDT
“I definitely wanted to come back from the jump,” Brown said of his thinking in free agency. His career got back on track with the Pacers – most of his important stats rose during his time in Indiana during the 2025-26 season. “It’s good to be back with the guys, with the program, the staff. I’m happy to be here.”
Brown started his time in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he never played more than nine minutes per game. He rarely earned rotation minutes for LA and scored in double figures just twice in 118 games.
Brown continued to perform well as the season progressed. He averaged 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the franchise while hitting a blistering 43.3% of his three-point shots. Even if his shooting was a flash in the pan, his work on the boards and defensive effort were clear, repeatable skills.
Why did Kobe Brown choose to stay with the Pacers?
“Standard [contract] is always the goal,” Brown admitted. “But honestly… something in my gut just told me I needed to come back to Indy. And I really wanted to be here. I loved it the last two months I was there.”
Across three seasons with the Clippers, Brown averaged 8.1 minutes a night. In his 27 outings with Indiana, Brown averaged 24.7, over half of the minutes in a game. His opportunities grew significantly with the Pacers, and he earned the playing time with his strong play.
“[I] like his versatility,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of Brown last season. “Moves his feet well. Has a rugged body. His rebounding is very good. Love the way he’s shooting the ball right now.”
Those traits were major factors in Carlisle giving Brown some time on the hardwood. His early success was key, too, and Brown fit well in the Pacers system. He touched the ball more often, moved freely, and made decisions with confidence.
“Just coming from my last team to this team, a whole different world and playstyle. And just realizing how much I fit into the randomness, basically,” Brown said of the Pacers system and how it played a role in free agency. “It’s fun to play, it’s fun to see, it’s fun to be a part of, and I’m just happy to still be here.”
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Brown heard from several of his teammates just after re-signing and worked with many of them during his trips to Indianapolis throughout the summer. Even though he spent about one-third of last season with the team, Brown has never played with teammates Tyrese Haliburton, Kelly Oubre, Johnny Furphy, and Larry Nance. So offseason reps have extra value to him.
And Brown’s recent gym time has more benefits than just working with some new teammates. He’s also trying to refine some of his skills, especially now that he knows what the Pacers style requires. “Just keep getting familiar with the system. I think I took strides. I got better at it. The more I played, the more I was around during the season, that got better and better,” Brown said. He’s been in Los Angeles to train for much of the offseason. “I’m playing in it, and I’m growing in the system.[The offseason will] be good.”
Brown projects to be a depth piece on the wing for the Pacers behind Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, (when healthy) Furphy, and Oubre. It will require injuries for the fourth-year pro to get minutes. But he’s a productive player for someone signed to a two-way contract, and the Pacers should be thrilled to have him back and get more chances to develop him in their system. The Pacers will hold Brown’s Bird Rights if he stays with the franchise through the 2026-27 season, meaning re-signing him next summer will be easier should he have another solid campaign.
There's a high probability that Zu's even better now, esp since Coach Jenny was helping him prepare for FIBA.
source: source: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dba34pgO\_R3/?igsh=aDhnNW5qMno1NW04
feels like past has some unfinished business that it wants the present to take care of.
I started this trip on July 28, 2026 from Portland (still on the train, hoping to get into Chicago tonight)... and here are some of the stuff that has happened during this trip.
Alerts:
AMTRAK: Please be advised that train speeds have been reduced due to temperature-related speed restrictions, and delays are expected. Please check Amtrak.com train status for up-to-date arrival times. We apologize for any inconvenience
AMTRAK Itinerary Change: As of 12:51 AM PT, Due to unexpected equipment adjustments, Train 8/28 which are scheduled to depart Seattle (SEA)/Portland (PDX) on 7/28, will be operating via a bus instead of train to Spokane (SPK). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
AMTRAK Delay Notification: As of 10:10 PM PT, Trains 8 and 28 are holding in Williston (WTN) due to a mandatory crew change. An estimated delay of up to 1 hour and 30 minutes is anticipated as crews are currently enroute to Williston. We are making every effort to minimize your wait time and will provide updates to you as soon as they become available. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Your patience is appreciated. For customers waiting to board this train, departure estimates are subject to change. If a train is delayed past its scheduled departure time, it may leave earlier than the updated estimate, if conditions allow. To avoid missing your train, please stay near the boarding area and monitor for announcements or updates.
AMTRAK Delay Notification: As of 11:36 PM PT, Trains 8 and 28 have resumed travel and are currently operating approximately 6 hours late. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your patience. For customers waiting to board this train, departure estimates are subject to change. If a train is delayed past its scheduled departure time, it may leave earlier than the updated estimate, if conditions allow. To avoid missing your train, please stay near the boarding area and monitor for announcements or updates.
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I feel bad for both the passengers and the Amtrak staff. Delays could be dealt with, but doing it hungry while the train tries to find stuff to feed the hungry coach passengers... it doesn't help that we see the sleepers getting to their sit-in meals on time (comments heard saying this was Snow Train, lol).
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Additional Info: am currently doing the US Rail Pass, and trying to see the country in 2 weeks. I started on
July 24 in Washington DC, took the Floridian to Chicago.
July 25 took the California Zephyr to Emeryville
July 27 met the Coast Starlight to Portland
July 28 took a Connecting Bus to Spokane, WA to get on the Empire Builder.
I am only halfway through. This Empire Builder experience did not deter me from cancelling the whole thing. On the contrary...
Salute to the Amtrak staff (the ones we started with and the ones who replaced them last night) who had to deal with the irate passengers during the last 3 days.
Which Pacer is the best golfer? 🤔
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbZjdprEWMN/?img\_index=9&igsh=MWxwanB2YTFtdXM1NQ==
Being underrated and overlooked is what made the 2025 playoffs so much fun. It's already part of the Pacers' persona that makes them so dangerous.
love that she says "MY Pacers"
The Haliban is back...