In retrospect, the decision not to renew Frank Vogel’s contract following Indiana’s exit from the 2016 playoffs can loosely be compared to the dramatic structure of a five act play.
- Prologue: Paul George’s outward hesitancy to transition to the power forward position during his first-full season back from a career-threatening injury.
- Conflict: Capitulating to Larry Bird’s designs on playing faster by making C.J. Miles — not George —- the sacrificial lamb. The roster’s flaws ensured the small-ball experiment would have a low ceiling, but the bland offense prohibited the spread lineup from reaching its modest potential.