Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers of the same kind thanks to Frank Vogel
The Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers are building similar teams and similar philosophies thanks to the influence of Magic coach Frank Vogel.
Paul George was reflecting on his former coach Frank Vogel, remembering the deep connection and relationship that grew in their time with the Indiana Pacers together.
There were undoubtedly the highs of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and George’s ascent to stardom. There were also the lows of George shacked up in a hospital room after breaking his leg at Olympic practices, his coach cutting his vacation short to be by his side and support him.
This was the lasting image of Frank Vogel. The one George used to thank his former coach after news came out the Pacers would not renew his contract. He was a partner, helping players in a mutual relationship to make the team better.
Vogel had a profound impact on George and his career. A relationship that still continues even with Vogel coaching a different team.
“A lot of his defensive schemes, I think I was a perfect fit to put in his system,” Paul George said. “I think I was like the prototype. We really helped each other. I’m happy with where he is at.”
Vogel is set to bring the same positive approach to the Orlando Magic he brought to the Pacers for sure. Paul George consistently noted the positive, encouraging demeanor Vogel brought including his desire to listen to his players. George described him as a players coach in every way. Someone players related to and worked hard for.
George credited Vogel’s positive attitude for giving him the freedom to explore his game. Former Pacers coach Jim O’Brien was a very hard coach, especially on George. But when Vogel came in the mood flipped and allowed his players to succeed in a new way.
Frank Vogel’s fingerprints are still all over the Pacers roster in many ways. The mentality the team wants to bring — including their desire to push the pace more — and the defensive intensity he brought. Coach Nate McMillan was an assistant with Vogel for several years before the Pacers moved him to the lead chair. Their messages may very well be similar.
The approaches to the game between these two teams too are likely to be the same.
“We know his team is going to be prepared and ready to go,” Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. “I think this team fits Frank’s personality. They are really going to be a solid defensive team with the addition of [Bismack] Biyombo and [Serge] Ibaka. Frank has done a good job coaching over the last few years, having David West and Roy Hibbert and Ian Mahinmi. He has a similar team to the one he had in Indiana. And you know those guys will be prepared to play.”
Vogel has said throughout training camp, he is hoping to build a team similar to those big, defensive teams he had in Indiana. He often reflects on his success in Indiana when describing how Orlando is going to play and what the team is going to do.
The Magic this offseason acquired Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo to ensure there was a rim protector on the floor at all times. The Magic are seemingly going big while the rest of the league goes small.
More than that, Vogel has made direct comparisons between Aaron Gordon and Paul George. It is his stated desire to use Gordon in the same way (at least on defense) and put the ball in his small forward’s hands a lot more.
That is seemingly the same faith Vogel put in George in 2012 and 2013 as he emerged as an All Star.
That is a big part of Vogel’s approach and his legacy as a head coach in Indiana.
The teams remain not too dissimilar. The Magic and Pacers are both going to try to play strong defense, using two versatile bigs to anchor their defense. They have point guards who are adept at getting in the paint and managing a game (although now Jeff Teague is a better scorer).
The approaches are at least the same if not the rosters.
And George sees that approach working with Orlando as Vogel builds and installs his program in Orlando.
“Two bigs. That smash-mouth style. That’s been his style, his system,” George said. “The reason why it should work pretty well with this team.”
Orlando is still piecing things together. Friday’s game represents just the second game the Magic’s starting lineup will be together on the floor. It also marks the Pacers’ first time with their full starting complement.
The two teams will look similar and play a similar style in some ways, and may not in others. The Pacers are likely to be a little more advance with the continuity on the bench and the veterans all over the roster.
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But the Magic and Pacers are cut from the same cloth thanks to one man’s influence.