Boyz II Men told us it’s so hard to say goodbye, but here is how a few Indiana Pacers players said see ya later to the coach who was their boss as they grew up in the NBA.
Frank Vogel is nothing if not a nice man. Everyone who has spent much time in his company describes him as relentlessly positive and generally pleasant to be around. He is an optimist and tries to see the best in everyone.
So it is no surprise to see his former players saying their thanks and offering appreciation for how Vogel helped them improve on the court and treated them as people.
Paul George, George Hill, and Ian Mahinmi have all offered up some public words for the coach that brought them to back-to-back Eastern Conference finals.
Paul George’s word were particularly warm towards a coach he called “one of the most influential men in my life.”
Although despite the heartfelt respect show, the superstar was sure to note that he’s looking forward to “the first basket I make while you’re coaching against me.”
George Hill, a religious man who had his first child this spring, wished Vogel well in his next job and said he “can’t thank this man enough for all he’s done for me as a player, a father, and a family man.”
Paul George thanks Frank Vogel, calls him ‘one of the most influential men’ in his life
I wanna thank Coach Frank Vogel from the bottom of my heart , I grew so much as a player & as a man over the last 4 seasons. Thank you coach
— Ian Mahinmi (@ianmahinmi) May 6, 2016
Thank you for believing in me coach! Appreciate you and your family a lot! Your future is bright.
— Ian Mahinmi (@ianmahinmi) May 6, 2016
For Ian Mahinmi, the bond will likely be particularly memorable. Vogel was the first NBA coach to give him a starting job, and the way Mahinmi thrived in that role will likely to lead to a player who has made less than $20 million in his career so far getting a payday north of $30 million this summer.