Alex Golden is joined by D Cot of the Game Time Network and Cot's Corner for his first appearance on Setting The Pace, and the conversation centers around what many believe is the Indiana Pacers' greatest strength: their backcourt.

The guys take a deep dive into Andrew Nembhard's development, discussing why he's the perfect complement to Tyrese Haliburton, the strides he made as a primary playmaker last season, what to expect from him moving forward and how important it is for the Pacers to keep him as a foundational piece of their core.

The conversation then shifts to Tyrese Haliburton's journey back to full strength. Alex and D Cot discuss the physical and mental challenges Haliburton has overcome, including battling shingles, rehabbing his Achilles injury and spending 16 months away from NBA game action. They also discuss his added muscle, expectations for the upcoming season and why a fully healthy Haliburton could elevate Indiana to another level.

Additional topics include:

• Why the Haliburton-Nembhard pairing works so well
• Nembhard's long-term value to the Pacers
• Tyrese's growth as a leader on and off the court
• Expectations for the Pacers' backcourt this season
• Other key storylines surrounding the roster entering training camp

It's a terrific first appearance from D Cot and a basketball-heavy conversation focused on two of the most important players in the Pacers' championship pursuit.

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