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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
Dec 12, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel yells at referee Zach Zarba (28) during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 118-96. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

What could go wrong

The Magic though are decidedly not the Indiana Pacers.

There is no Paul George to galvanize the offense. As good as Serge Ibaka might be, Nikola Vucevic is not a rim-protecting center. Bismack Biyombo fits more like Roy Hibbert, but has his own offensive limitations.

And Vogel was never known for his offenses. The Pacers always struggled on that end, except for one year. The team does not have a creator like those Pacers team did — not unless Aaron Gordon has truly transformed himself in the offseason.

The reality might be the roster is such a mismatch that even Vogel’s coaching prowess cannot reach it.

Orlando is not anticipating a strong offense at all. Vogel has already joked his team will have to win games in the 80s and low 90s. Figuring out how the offense will work and how it will function is going to be one of the bigger tasks for a coach that has not had much success in building successful offenses.

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What Frank Vogel can learn from the Suns' previous coaching staff
What Frank Vogel can learn from the Suns' previous coaching staff /

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    • The other question is whether Vogel’s defensive prowess can translate to a new team.

    The Paul George/Danny Granger-Roy Hibbert-David West teams broke up last season. With a George, Monta Ellis, George Hill, Ian Mahinmi and Myles Turner lineup, the Pacers still ended up third in defensive rating. That would suggest Vogel can handle that transformation.

    And an Ibaka-Biyombo pairing certainly has a ton of defensive potential. Vogel’s eyes seem to light up whenever he talks about the potential of running a defense with Ibaka playing safety.

    But this is as young a team as Vogel has ever coached. Elfrid Payton has to re-establish himself defensively and prove he can run an offense. Those are things Vogel has never had to deal with in his time with the Pacers.

    Next: Vogel's worth