Pacers head coach Frank Vogel has two bold characteristics: he’s very positive and honest.
The honest part cost him prior to game 1 in the team’s second-round series against the Miami Heat.
“They are the biggest flopping team in the NBA,” Coach Vogel told reporters this week.
“It will be very interesting to see how the referees officiate this series and how much flopping they reward. Every time you drive to the basket they’ve got guys not making a play on the ball but sliding in front of drivers, oftentimes they’re falling down before contact is even made. It’ll be very interesting to see how this series is officiated.”
The NBA announced that Vogel has been fined $15,000 Saturday “for his comments about how the referees should officiate the Pacers’ upcoming series with the Heat.”
Really? A little protective, are we?
I don’t see what’s wrong with what he said. He’s not blasting officials but being honest and as he later noted, “just stating the obvious.” He believes the Heat flop more than any team in the league. Nothing wrong with what he said there.
What they may have not liked, was his subtle hint to officials that “it will be interesting to see how the referees officiate this series and how much flopping they reward.” Again, I don’t see much wrong there. Nothing more than it will be something for his staff to keep an eye on as well as media and fans.
It’s one thing if he said “they flop and the officials don’t mind because it’s the Heat.” Or “the officials have been strict all year with flopping but not with the Heat.” That’s targeted directly at the refs and flat-out calling them out.
Vogel’s a smart guy. Fine or not, he knows exactly what he is doing.
Many people aren’t giving the Pacers a shot against LeBron, Wade, Bosh and the other cast of Heat players. They are not supposed to win. And he doesn’t mind that — because he believes.