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2017 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Frank Vogel

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 15, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel yells on the sideline in the first half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Washington Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 118-104. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel yells on the sideline in the first half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Washington Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 118-104. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Frank Vogel, Indiana Pacers
Mar 31, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel gestures against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Pacers 111 – 106. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

What to look for

Orlando brought Frank Vogel to town to do one thing — create a defensive identity.

That has long been a goal for the Magic throughout the rebuild. It has not quite taken hold yet.

Vogel is here with a long track record of success with the Indiana Pacers. Particularly where the Magic want to set their identity — on defense.

According to Basketball-Reference, Vogel’s Pacers never placed lower than ninth in the league. That included finishing first in 2013 and 2014 as the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Last year, despite losing size in the paint in Roy Hibbert and David West, the Pacers finished third.

Vogel has a consistent history building strong defensive teams. That is what the Magic have hired him to do essentially.

Vogel though is not a taskmaster or a typical coach in that way. Where Skiles had a similar defensive reputation, he was known for driving his teams hard and burning them out.

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That is not Vogel. Vogel is much more even-keeled. He has a video background and dives deep into the game. That may have ended up being one of his weaknesses as Larry Bird and the Pacers sought some change.

He also has a long track record of developing and playing young players. He helped grow Paul George into a star — he started playing behind Danny Granger before eventually taking over. Myles Turner got significant time last season and proved to add to the Pacers’ defense.

That trust in young players is critical to their development. Something Vogel has shown again and again.

Time will tell if that approach proves to work. It was certainly successful in Indiana. The Pacers were a defensive juggernaut.

The Magic hope his defensive strategy and principles translate to this roster. And that Vogel is the man to lead them for years to come.

Next: What could go wrong