What must Vogel do to make you want him back next year?

[chube]

Make the playoffs? After all, that was the initial goal/expectation all along?
Win our way into a seed higher than 8th?
Finish above .500?
See what we look like against a couple of tough stretches in the next two months? (a stretch throughout most of next month which includes at Oklahoma City, at Dallas, vs. Philly, at New York, vs. New York, at Boston, vs. Chicago, at Memphis and another stretch at the end of the season that includes at New Orleans, vs. Atlanta, vs. New York and at Orlando)

It's still pretty early to talk about hiring Vogel on for next year, as we're only 8 games into his tenure and still have 30 left to go. And, let's be honest, even though every game is important, only 2 of those 8 teams having winnings records (Portland and Miami), although we won two crucial games against East teams we'll be battling with until the end of the season (Charlotte and Milwaukee.)

But still...what are your thoughts right now?

[Indy2thaWindy]

Just keep winning. That's all we want.

[Grangerous]

I would say have a competitive series with whoever we play in the playoffs..as in win at least 2 games in the playoffs.

[Jackson Jiggle]

At this point its too early to tell whether or not he could be a permanent solution to out horrible coaching experiment. I do like Vogel and his enthusiasm, but I don't know if he is what we want in a coach. If he shows that he can out coach someone in the playoffs than I think he could/should be hired back on. Out coaching someone doesn't necessarily mean winning the series, but just showing the he can find a way to slow down the main scoring option, or find a way to beat a great defensive team with his offense.

[Wizop]

he's already shown everything I need to see.

[JeffFosters]

Sustained winning, but more importantly, sustained development. He's revitalised Granger and that needs to continue this season. Having said that, Mike Brown is still a better coaching-candidate in my opinion, but I would definitely keep Vogel as his lead-assistant.

[Indy4Life]

I want to see a team that comes to play every night. A team that works hard on both ends of the floor. A team that hustles, takes good shots and shows some discipline. A team that is lead by its veterans, but consistantly gets minutes for the new kids so they can develop.

That is what we are currently getting with Vogel.

This combination will allow us to compete nightly, win the games we should win and be competitive even when our talent doesn't match up to the competition.

[Miller4ever]

I think if he gets us over .500, we should seriously consider keeping him. Our strongest opponents are yet to come, and if we can come out of it above .500, I would think he deserves to shed the interim tag. If we are below .500, we should be looking at other options this offseason, although I think he should be in the running.

[colts2004]

Right now, he is on track. Sure, we have beaten some easy teams like Toronto but we almost beat Miami. I think if we continue to play and win like we have, he keeps Danny playing the way he can and keep improving PG, DC and Roy, he will stay

[Grang33r]

What he has shown so far is a very small sample. Much of it may have to do with players who have started to try harder under a new head coach, since some players may have tuned Jim O'Brien out. Who knows? When you start to consider giving Vogel an extension (or making him full-time coach) you are pretty much willing to give him a 3 year contract and must live with the decision for atleast 2 seasons and see what he can do. That is a HUGE commitment to give a guy per 9 games.

Don't discount our schedule under Vogel. We have played VERY weak teams. Toronto, Cleveland, NJ, Minnesota (missing 2 starters) and Bucks (missing Jennings and Redd). They've played only 3 playoff teams, Charlotte and Portland (without Roy) and both at home. Miami on the road and they lost.

They've had multiple breakdowns in the 4th quarter. Even in lopsided wins, or should of been wins, they allowed teams to get back in it in the 4th.

Lawrence Frank started his career 13-0 as Nets coach, also, coming in mid-season. He wasn't exactly the next Phil Jackson.

Time is on our side, and let's wait and see for a full season how Vogel and the Pacers do.

[Boneman2]

I don't know how much credit Vogel deserves because a lot of our improvement could be a surge in effort from our players, more because Obie is gone.

I'll tell you one thing, Vogel should continue making smart decisions, like keeping Paul George on the floor in the 4th against the Bucks.

If he continues to make smart decisions, that'll prove he can coach. So far it is inconclusive as to whether he can sustain his strategy, but if he does, he deserves a look.

I really like Mike Brown so Frank better impress.

[Gremz]

He needs for there to be no better candidates?

[Starkiller]

I will say this, as far as their Twitter's say, the players LOVE the guy. Paul and Roy are loving playing for him.

[chube]

^^^ Obviously, two players who are important to keep happy. Not that it should be THE deciding factor, but hopefully the management takes players opinions into consideration.

[Miller4ever]

He's still young, and that may be the main knock on him. When I see him talk and call plays and substitute and his philosophy, I think he's head coach material. And not just head coach material. GOOD head coach material.

[DWCP2]

Makes it into the playoffs: 50/50 chance he remains coach.

2nd round: 60/40 offer him a 1-2 year extension AS COACH

East Championship: 70/30 At least a three year contract.

NBA Finals: Whatever terms he likes and at whatever the cost.

[Indy2thaWindy]

Makes it into the playoffs: 50/50 chance he remains coach.

2nd round: 60/40 offer him a 1-2 year extension AS COACH

East Championship: 70/30 At least a three year contract.

NBA Finals: Whatever terms he likes and at whatever the cost.

If we make it past the 1st round, there isn't gonna be anybody better to coach this team than Vogel.