“We’re in a fight. We’re going to do everything we can just to be in that fight.”
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That’s what Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel said of his recent streak of technical fouls, tops in the league as the Indy Star’s Candace Buckner reports.
"Vogel directs most of his animation on the sideline toward officials, never shy about expressing his opinion about what he perceives to be as a wrong call or, in the case of Monday, a non-call. Though Vogel often showed red-faced fury during moments of the game, he aimed one of his more calmer complaints to lead official Jason Phillips when Aron Baynes’ defense helped created a turnover by Luis Scola.“That was a foul, too,” Vogel said. Immediately, Phillips turned in Vogel’s direction, and charged the technical foul.After a day to evaluate the “undeserved” technical – the retort Vogel directed at Phillips after the fourth-quarter whistle – he remained unrepentant about his reputation in picking up penalties.“I’m always going to fight for our guys,” Vogel said."
Vogel’s last one came against the San Antonio Spurs and put him in the league lead for coaches with 9 on the season, but this is nothing new. However the feisty nature of Vogel, something I refer to as Jersey Frank, is a two-headed beast.
When the Pacers were visiting Lance Stephenson down in Charlotte and David West picked up a “questionable” foul, Vogel barked at official Mark Lindsay yelling “Mark, Mark, Mark, you’ve got to be kidding me with that shit!,” understandably earning himself a quick tech.
In that situation the Pacers trailed 76-65 and played from behind the whole way. Low risk, high reward if Vogel can get the officials attention and have a few calls go Indiana’s way. It is hard to parse out exactly what effect that call had, but the Pacers did complete the comeback and won on a George Hill lay-up.
However, against the Spurs it arguably was a poor choice to get a technical when he did. With 6:02 remaining to play and the Pacers leading 89-81, Scola was forced into a bad pass by Baynes which led to a turnover. Vogel roared as the officials, leading to the T and a Danny Green free throw. In a game ultimately decided by one shot, it is hard not to question if that was the best time to ask for one with the team leading at home.
Vogel has the chance to go into double-digits tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans, but we’ll see if cooler heads prevail.