The current Indiana Pacers exemplify offensive success, but Frank Vogel highlighted the significance of elite defense during his tenure with the team in the 2010s. Recently, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Vogel has joined the Dallas Mavericks coaching staff under Jason Kidd. According to Stein, Kidd noted that Vogel is now a “coaching consultant” and added, “It took a lot of begging, but he was talked into it and I’m happy he said yes.”
Vogel left the Pacers with an impressive 431-250 record, emphasizing defensive strategies throughout his time there. His coaching prowess led the Pacers to two Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Although much of his regular-season success came with Indiana, his crowning achievement was winning the 2020 NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kidd, seeking to revitalize his career after a disappointing stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, adopted Vogel’s defensive principles, which ultimately helped him secure the head coaching position in Dallas after the departure of Rick Carlisle. Last summer, the Phoenix Suns hired Vogel, hoping he could lead stars like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal to success. However, he was let go after just one season.
