On Sunday’s 97-92 win over the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel collected his 100th coaching victory.
In the same instance, Indiana was served a quick reminder of just how lucky they are.
Frank Vogel is not just the NBA’s youngest head coach, he’s a shot from left field. He was a Division III point guard at Juniata, Pennsylvania. Soon after, he was at Kentucky, not as a player but as a manager. On the way to his role as assistant coach in the NBA, and eventually the Pacers’ answer to the departure of Jim O’Brien, Vogel’s maintained a positive attitude.
“He’s a player’s coach”, says Roy Hibbert of his head coach. Danny Granger added, “…if we’re doing something wrong. he’ll get it corrected, but 90% of what he has to say is positive.”
It’s at least somewhat strange to hear that about Vogel, primarily because of what his team has become under his yet young tenure.
On Sunday’s match-up with the Bulls, Chicago was given a chance to salvage the game when George Hill missed two free throws. Tom Thibodeaux is among the league’s most recognized tacticians and he has multiple shooters on the floor. The ensuing possession for the Bulls was a mess, with Indiana forcing anyone in a red jersey to fumble with the ball. Chicago had two tries had a last shot. Belineli missed his first attempt before Indiana stole the ball with just over a second remaining.
That is what the Pacers have become. They’ve reached their 38-22 mark on the season on the coattails of the league’s top defense. That is what makes Vogel’s positive approach so strange.
Think of the modern NBA’s defensive masterminds. Tom Thibodeau, Greg Popovich, Doc Rivers, etc. They each have a signature death stare, they’re each prone to fits of rage over imperfect defense, and Thibodeau even has a voice that makes you wonder if he’s ever laughed. But not Vogel, that’s not how he does things.
“It’s just a matter of being true to who you are”, said Vogel.”I’m not Bobby Knight. I’m not that kind of coach. When we need to correct things, I do it in a respectful manner.’’
He’s very rarely seen fuming, Vogel. The game against the Bulls so Thibodeau slam his fist down on the scorer’s table, frustrated over his team’s inability to get a shot off to end the game. Both coaches are tactical masterminds, one is just more positive.
During Jim O’Brien’s tenure, the Pacers’ defense was ranked as low as 19th. Last year, Vogel’s first full season as head coach, they were 9th. They are now the NBA’s best defense, the Eastern Conference’s second best team, and have Vogel locked up to a long term deal.
Things are looking good in Indy.
—H/T to Bob Kravitz
Twitter handle: @Abdi_hakim.
