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NBA Rumors: Top Suitors For Frank Vogel

By Maxwell Ogden

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 21: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 91-75. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 21: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 91-75. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Apr 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) coach Frank Vogel and forward Paul George (13) walk back to the bench after a skirmish with the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter of game four of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 100-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) coach Frank Vogel and forward Paul George (13) walk back to the bench after a skirmish with the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter of game four of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 100-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Indiana Pacers

Seriously, what are the Indiana Pacers thinking? All Frank Vogel has done over the past four years is lead the Pacers to two Conference Finals appearances—with two teams that, on talent alone, shouldn’t have been there—a near postseason appearance without Paul George, and a severe overachievement of a season in 2015-16.

Vogel’s players seem to like him, and his track record is strong, so why in the world would Indiana let him go?

I understand that missing the playoffs in 2014-15 was a tough pill to swallow, but the franchise player only appeared in six games that year. Even still, with a makeshift roster supporting Roy Hibbert, George Hill, and a then 34-year-old David West, Indiana was a tiebreaker short of a postseason appearance.

In 2015-16, with the defensive anchor, as well as the go-to player in the clutch, lost via trade and free agency, Indiana still managed to win 45 games.

Despite losing his rim protector, Vogel led the Pacers to a ranking of No. 3 in defensive efficiency. He placed a higher emphasis on 3-point shooting than he had in previous seasons, and got the most out of career role players who hadn’t previously played this big of a factor on a postseason team.

More hoops habit: Five reasons to remain optimistic about the Indiana pacers

Larry Bird has proven to be more than knowledgeable as an executive, but it’d be difficult to justify his letting Vogel go.

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