The Indiana Pacers want to be less like the Indiana Pacers and more like the Golden State Warriors.
It’s a good plan. Not a feasible one. But it’s good that the Pacers and team president Larry Bird can recognize the greatness of the Warriors and get stylistic envy.
This keen sense of what wins championships in today’s NBA, though, apparently doesn’t spell good news for current head coach Frank Vogel, per Mitch Lawrence of SiriusXM NBA Radio:
After Larry Bird's criticisms on Frank Vogel, Pacer execs in player exit meetings: Next year we'll be going up-tempo more, scoring more…
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) May 4, 2016
…using fewer sets and playing more like Golden State. Can't see how this helps Vogel keep his job. Sounds like Kevin McHale on his way.
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) May 4, 2016
There is also this to chew on:
Larry Bird: "Frank’s not getting fired, his contract is up and I just made the decision not to renew it."
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 5, 2016
A few things spring to mind here.
First, Bird needs to work on his people skills. He tried coaxing Roy Hibbert into opting out of his contract last summer and may now be prepared to fire a solid head coach without keeping him in the loop on his future in Indiana. And give the way in which he fired Vogel, the optics won’t be good for the Pacers.
Second, and most importantly: LOL.
Vogel may have deviated from Indy’s preferred small-ball model over the course of the regular season, but a coach with his track record, especially on defense, should be given that freedom. The Pacers didn’t have the personnel to actualize Bird’s vision, which he painted last summer, anyway.
With Vogel’s contract apparently up this June, the Pacers could view this as an opportunity for a fresh start. And that’s fine. But it’s clear after how this was handled that those within the Indiana organization really need to start working on their manners.
