5 reasons Indiana Pacers can win NBA Finals
By John Buhler
4. Frank Vogel
While 2015-16 has been frustrating at times for the Pacers as they try to adjust to the small ball era, Frank Vogel is one of the best current NBA head coaches who hasn’t won an NBA Championship.
Vogel has helped reshape the Pacers in the post-Rick Carlisle days with a defense-first mentality (more on that in a bit). He’s always been willing to try new things on the hardwood in both his rotations and in-game strategies.
Though he’s not what one would call a prototypical players coach, Vogel tends to get the most out of his players. Regardless of the friction that may exist between Vogel and those involved with the Pacers, few will argue that when it works, Vogel is one of the best minds in the business.
Vogel’s team rarely back down from a fight, play great basketball at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse and can hold their own on the road in even the most hostile of playoff environments.
In short, the coaching culture put in place by Vogel gives the Pacers a vibrant intensity to overcome obstacles in playoff series to advance further than what many thought was possible. There isn’t anything that Vogel hasn’t seen in the Eastern Conference Playoffs during his time as the Pacers’ head coach, so naturally they’ll be ready for all that lies ahead for them this postseason.
Next: 3. Defense win championships