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Granger on the East: "It’s going to be tough. Brooklyn, they are going to be threat. Obviously Miami is going to be there, but I think we still view ourselves as a top-2 team in the East."

More DG on Central: "I think we’re in the driver’s seat coming off the success we had last yr. We just have to go out n win the division."

Granger on Central Division w/o Rose for part of the season: "I think it’s ours to lose right now."

I agree with Granger; But I dont think he shouldve said this much. I understand that the team will not be under the radar again this season; however this may put a target on the backs of the Pacers. I dont like the idea of giving teams any extra motivation to beat Indy than they already have. Thoughts?

Well, one thing for sure. I'd be extremely disappointed if we do not end topping up last year's run, and maybe the guys feel the same way. IMO, we got better during this offseason. We have a bench that could start for the Bobcats.

Usually, I'm not a big fan of players making grandiose claims/guarantees like that. However, he's free to have the opinion and I'd always prefer players go in with confidence like that. As long as it doesn't turn into a sense of entitlement or anything, which I doubt Vogel would let happen.

However, we don't know the context of the question. For all we know, the reporter may have sort of backed him into a corner and basically bluntly asked, "do you feel you're a top-X team in the East?" Granted, there are more coded ways to answer questions like that, but some of those reporters are pretty good at trapping and manipulating the question to get the sound byte they want.

Granger has to have confidence. He's the leader of the Pacers, and for him to act like the underdog and that they don't really know how well they'll do just wouldn't sit well with me.

I'm glad he said these things, the Pacers shouldn't be considered the underdog and cinderella story come playoff time every season.

if you can't be confident in August, when can you be? no need for realism this time of year.

Agreed. In his place I would keep it more vague and not "claim" any position in the rankings.
I didn't like Vogels comments about the Heat flopping either, even if it's true.
I don't think u can praise the opponent too much in interviews, as long as you are confident in your mind and on the court.

Pacersike wrote:I didn't like Vogels comments about the Heat flopping either, even if it's true.

It's most definitely true, and I think everyone around the league knows it. I don't have a problem with Vogel saying that though, if you play the Heat with a "we're going to lose" mentality, you have no chance. Him saying that shows his confidence in what the Pacers could do, and we certainly gave the Heat all they could handle.

I dont put too much stock in these interviews, its not like he came out and guaranteed anything like some jack@ss. We finished 5th in the NBA last year, that speaks volumes.