5 Reasons the Pacers Can Make Playoffs

Oct 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) goes pasts Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Memphis won the game, 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) goes pasts Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Memphis won the game, 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Frank Vogel

While Vogel has never had to mold a spread offense like this year’s Pacers, he really hasn’t offered many reasons to doubt him either, since it’s easy to believe that the defense-first teams of recent Indiana years were more a result of Vogel’s personnel than his preference for that style.

That’s not to say he hasn’t grown comfortable with that style, or that the personnel impetus is really even true. It’s just to say that it’s possible, and based on Vogel’s track record of turning a group of so-and-so’s into a decent NBA squad, it might not be the best idea to immediately doubt his ability to build a serious offense. He’s always been a canny scriptor of out-of-bounds plays, and as mentioned earlier, the team has looked relatively sharp in moving the ball and finding good shots both inside and outside the paint so far.

So who knows? Vogel represents another “prove it” part of this new equation for the Pacers, but if he can do that once again, his guidance would be a huge boost to Indiana through this ongoing team overhaul.