Lance Stephenson will always have a special place in the heart of this Pacers fan
Learning more about our Setting The Pace, Fan of the Week, Caleb Rodriguez
Growing up with his father as a longtime San Antonio Spurs fan, Caleb didn’t fall in love with the Pacers until a little bit later in life. It wasn’t until the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals when Caleb and his father decided to root for both the Spurs and the Pacers, as they moved from the San Antonio area to Lafayette, Indiana. There was a chance that the Rodriguez’ family would get to witness a Pacers-Spurs NBA Finals, but the Pacers unfortunately couldn’t overcome LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat.
Regardless of that outcome, Caleb has remained true to the blue and gold. Currently, Caleb is a junior in Construction Engineering Management at Purdue University setting to graduate in December 2025. Caleb considers himself an above-casual basketball fan and great Pacers fan.
I asked Caleb 8-questions about his thoughts on the team, the new uniforms, any hot takes he has on the Pacers this season and some questions about our podcast, Setting The Pace:
1). What is your favorite episode of Setting The Pace?
Caleb: My favorite episode of Setting The Pace would have to be the Free Agency Reaction Podcast. This was my first full listen of Setting The Pace and it was great to find Pacers specific media that I could listen to and relate to. Signing Bruce Brown was a tad controversial with the amount of money he got, and so I was curious as to see others' reaction and compare it to my own.
2). How did your Pacers fandom begin?
Caleb: My Pacers fandom began with the 2013 and 2014 conference finals. My dad is a San Antonio Spurs fan who is from the area but moved up here to Indiana and started rooting for both teams. Our dream NBA Finals were Spurs vs Pacers, however, LeBron decided to ruin that for us and win both of those years. I was determined to see the Pacers succeed from there on out. I lost my way with the NBA for a couple of years and really started to become enthralled with it the 2017-2018 season. Ever since then, I have been a loyal, die-hard Pacers fan and have never looked back.
3). Who is your all-time favorite Pacers player?
Caleb: My favorite all-time Pacers player is a tough one to choose. Paul George has to be the player who really got me to become a Pacers fan, but Lance Stephenson has, and will always have, a special place in my heart. Lance was such a fun player to watch, and he embodied what it meant to be an Indiana Pacer. Lance and his celebrations, his trash talk, his confidence made some of the darkest days in Indiana fun to be around.
Lance was such a fun player to watch, and he embodied what it meant to be an Indiana Pacer. Lance and his celebrations, his trash talk, his confidence made some of the darkest days in Indiana fun to be around.
4). Who is your favorite guest to appear on Setting The Pace?
Caleb: My favorite guest to appear on Setting The Pace is Tyrese Haliburton. Hearing how he talks about this team and his insights on the team was really cool! Haliburton is such a cool dude and was very fun to listen to on the pod.
5). Give me a hot take for this Pacers team this season.
Caleb: A hot take for the Pacers team this season is that we should not trade TJ McConnell and try to keep him here for the long haul. TJ proved himself a vital part of this team against the 76ers on 11/12 when he helped this team comeback from down 20. His presence in the locker room is vital being the key veteran guard on the team, he has a lot of knowledge to pass on to Haliburton, Nembhard, and others. McConnell also brings the energy on the bench when he isn't playing and keeps the moral high. Not to say he is untouchable; it is just hard to say he does not contribute to this team because he is not playing most games.
6). Thoughts on the City Edition uniforms?
Caleb: This is the worst season of city edition jerseys so far across the league. There are some hits, but mainly misses. I absolutely hated these jerseys when I saw them leaked, they just don't seem to embody what this team is. Seeing them on the players, as well with being matched with the city edition court and in-season tournament court, I do not mind them anymore. They are not great jerseys, but they are not bad jerseys either.
7). How long have you listened to Setting The Pace?
Caleb: I have been listening to Setting The Pace for about 4 months, since the Free Agency Reaction Podcast. When Free Agency began, I was scrambling to see any kind of reaction for what the Pacers did with signing Bruce Brown, and I came across Setting The Pace. I really enjoy the analysis for this team from both Alex and Facci and have not been able to stop listening ever since!
8). If you could bring back one jersey to be regularly in the mix for the Pacers, which one would it be?
Caleb: If I could bring back any Pacers jersey from the past, I would bring back the yellow pinstripes. My favorite jersey that I own is a yellow pinstripe Reggie Miller jersey and I think it is a very visually appealing jersey that I would love to see these modern Pacers rock!