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Frank Vogel's Coaching Specialty is Defense and Statistics Prove It

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

By Josh CohenMay 23, 2016

Frank Vogel’s Pacers were excellent taking advantage of opponent turnovers this past season. In fact, they ranked No. 1 in the league in points off turnovers (18.9 per game). Indiana also ranked No. 4 in steals (9.0 per game). Vogel’s teams over the past several years typically played terrific positional defense and often deflected and intercepted passes. WATCH:

Vogel’s Pacers habitually forced opponents into difficult shots. This helped Indiana rank in the top 10 in defensive field goal percentage in all six years he was the head coach. Even with players that weren’t necessarily known for their defensive abilities, Vogel’s tactics and defensive focus made the Pacers smothering on that end of the floor. WATCH:

Vogel’s Pacers were superb at preventing opponents from excelling in the pick-and-roll and scoring on drive-and-kicks. In fact, in all six years with Vogel as the head man, Indiana ranked in the top 10 in limiting opponent assists. They ranked No. 1 in 2013-14. Most impressive, though, was that the Pacers ranked No. 2 in this category without Paul George in the lineup (2014-15 season). WATCH:

Vogel’s Pacers were always an outstanding rebounding team. Considering opponents often shot a low percentage, the Pacers had a lot of rebounding opportunities. They ranked in the top 10 in five of the six seasons Vogel was the coach and they were No. 1 in this category in 2012-13. Indiana also ranked third in back-to-back years in limiting opponent second chance points. WATCH:

Vogel’s Pacers played hard-nosed, physical and passionate defense without fouling much. Indiana ranked in the top 10 in fewest fouls in five of the six seasons Vogel was the coach. In two of those seasons, the Pacers also ranked in the top 10 in reducing opponent free throw attempts (2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons). WATCH: