Vogel discussing Elf on Magic Drive Time

[tiderulz]

So yeah, I just don't like how the thread lends to believe that Elfrid was called out randomly by the coach and leads to predictable comments about his effort from posters that have never really cared for him. Frank challenged all before the season with things he wants them to do, and now the recent talk after the Pacers game where he had to have tough conversations with all of them. He wasn't being singled out, but he was the only one asked about by Dante.

i was stumping for him before the draft. Doesnt mean i cant look at him critically in his 3rd year. Just because we are fans of a team, doesnt mean we put blinders on for any faults of our team.

Alabama is my team, i went there and suffered thru some bad seasons. And I am riding high right now. And while Saban has been an incredible coach, doesnt mean i wont call him out for being an #$@# to the media more than he should be or acting like he walks around with a stick up his butt when he deserves it.

[Mc-o]

Also, to expound on the interview, Dante mentioned how Vogel had to have tough conversations with the team and Elfrid commented about how it's tough watching games and seeing the mistakes you individually make, then Dante asked about Elfrid and Vogel said that he wants to challenge Elfrid to be in that disruptive defensive "do it all mindset" mode all night long instead of bringing the super high energy sporadically on defense since he's the head of the snake. He's not questioning his effort, he said he just wants him to be in that high energy mode all night. That in itself is tough because only Westbrook never seems to run out of energy and he plays zero defense, but we want Elfrid to run the team and show that defensive tenacity. I think he can do it, at the expense of his shot on certain nights.

So for one, he was asked specifically about Elfrid since Dante mentioned a quote that Elfrid said. It wasn't just a random comment of Vogel "calling out" Elfrid.

He also said this:

"He really has a pure heart. He really cares about this team and getting it into the playoffs and taking this next step. He cares about his own individual performance, and that's what I really admire about this kid. He's not always perfect but he does care and he does approach the game the right way, and I feel like he has a bright future."

So yeah, I just don't like how the thread lends to believe that Elfrid was called out randomly by the coach and leads to predictable comments about his effort from posters that have never really cared for him. Frank challenged all before the season with things he wants them to do, and now the recent talk after the Pacers game where he had to have tough conversations with all of them. He wasn't being singled out, but he was the only one asked about by Dante.

yeah Vogel was just answering a question. This is pretty much the same thing skiles said about ep , so it is an ongoing thing.
. It's about aggressiveness not effort

[yoyojw17]

Since 12/5 (the last 15 games) the Magic have gone 7-8. Over, that time in our 8 losses EP's point totals have been as follows:

2, 4, 10, 13, 9, 7, 8, 10

In our 7 wins EP's point totals have been as follows:

13, 16, 25, 22, 10, 26, 25

That's right in only one loss did EP score more than 10 and in only one win did EP score less than 11.

In looking through the stats of our players in wins versus losses of late its hard to find any stat that jumps out more than EP's scoring in wins versus losses and, I might add, it seems to be representative of what happens on the court when he brings it. We need more of that. We win when it happens. And whatever Vogel can do to light a fire under his ass I fully support.

Not gonna lie.... A pissed off EP is a darn joy to watch play!

[Blue_and_Whte]

I didn't need an interview on drive time with Vogel to tell me that he's a sporadic energy player. Matter of fact none of us did. In the offseason my issues with Elfrid were shooting and consistency, which includes energy and effort every single night. I've also said probably a million times, that this team seems to respond when they're called out by the coach or they have a team meeting so its not just elfrid. Regardless that shouldn't need to happen just to get him to play with energy and effort especially in year 3. He's not a rookie anymore and he shouldn't have to be asked to do his job the right way.

[shadrock]

When you are a paid MILLIONS of dollars to play the game of basketball esp in the NBA and your effort and energy level is questioned.... well there is something deeply wrong with that player/person.

Nobody is questioning his effort but RealGM posters that have no basis for it.

Yeah to assume inconsistency is due to lack of effort or desire is stupid.

[EasternMagic]

This. A lot of people rag on PGs ability to get high assist numbers, but a teams ability to knock down shots greatly affects a point guard's statistics, AND the energy. If you've ever played point guard before, even in a pick up game, it's a little draining to work hard just to see your teammates blow a good look at a basket. Certainly not an excuse to play with lackluster energy, but it's just a sign of a young growing PG.

Could you imagine how many assists EP would get if his teammates shot at least an average percentage?

http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/assists/sort/assistTurnoverRatio

[Orium]

I've never seen a person who has reached an elite level at their profession and who still seems to have such a low level of self-esteem as Elfrid does. You can see it in his interviews, you can see it in his on-court demeanor, and you can see it in his inconsistent effort. There are games where Elfrid simply doesn't check into the game mentally, regardless of how well he gets up and down the court. This is my biggest problem with him. If there's something that gets Elfrid down on himself, like a particular PG who's pesky on defense, he just stops believing in himself.

[NBlue]

I've never seen a person who has reached an elite level at their profession and who still seems to have such a low level of self-esteem as Elfrid does. You can see it in his interviews, you can see it in his on-court demeanor, and you can see it in his inconsistent effort. There are games where Elfrid simply doesn't check into the game mentally, regardless of how well he gets up and down the court. This is my biggest problem with him. If there's something that gets Elfrid down on himself, like a particular PG who's pesky on defense, he just stops believing in himself.

I think you are reading way, way too much into body language. EP is a pretty laid back dude off the court. Doesn't mean he is not a ferocious competitor with a hell of a lot of confidence in himself. Peazy is finally coming into his own but I suppose the haters will continue to hate. He follows up a 13-14-3 game with a 15-6-4 game and yet we still get this. I'm sorry but I completely disagree. Like most young pgs it is taking him time to understand how to play the pick and roll defensively and also time to understand how he can best attack on offense. But he is getting better on both ends. Its natural for young players -- especially pgs -- to be inconsistent. Just because he has a certain look to him doesn't mean he isn't a killer. I think he is.