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New York Knicks: Pros and cons of hiring Frank Vogel as head coach

By Maxwell Ogden

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 29: Head Coach Frank Vogel of the Orlando Magic reacts during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on January 29, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 29: Head Coach Frank Vogel of the Orlando Magic reacts during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on January 29, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 29: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Indiana Pacers speaks at a post game press conference after the game against the Toronto Raptors in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2016 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 29: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Indiana Pacers speaks at a post game press conference after the game against the Toronto Raptors in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2016 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Pro: Defensive Prowess

Frank Vogel was unable to convince his Orlando Magic players to buy in on the defensive end of the floor. It’s an unfortunate truth, but a truth nonetheless, as the Magic abandoned the approach that yielded an 8-4 start for the erratic effort that resulted in a 17-53 finish.

Nevertheless, Vogel proved with the Indiana Pacers that he can run a legitimately elite defense—and no one should forget that indisputable truth.

Indiana finished the 2009-10 season at No. 15 in the NBA in defensive efficiency and the 2010-11 campaign at No. 12. In Vogel’s first full season at the helm, 2011-12, the Pacers cracked the top-10 by allowing just 100.4 points per 100 possessions.

That may sound like steady progress, but in 2012-13, Indiana made the jump to No. 1 in the NBA by letting up a mere 96.6 points per 100 possessions—a massive leap.

Indiana again ranked No. 1 in defensive efficiency in 2013-14, and finished No. 8 in 2014-15 despite playing all but six games without All-Defense mainstay Paul George. It returned to the top five in 2015-16 at No. 3, and fell to No. 15 in 2016-17—the first season without Vogel.

Some will say it’s about more than statistics, but when a coach has a team ranked in the top 10 in defensive efficiency in five consecutive seasons, that’s a sign of what you need to know.

If the New York Knicks are trying to return to their roots, they should remember that Vogel is an elite defensive coach.

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