Notebook: Pacers' Vogel happy for Butler's Stevens
City's young coaches formed a friendly bond a few years ago
Mar 29, 2011
Indiana Pacers interim coach Frank Vogel's first encounter with Brad Stevens was when the young Butler coach asked to meet with former Pacers coach Jim O'Brien and pick his brain about the game.
Vogel and Stevens formed a friendship from that day, so it's not surprising that Vogel sent Stevens a congratulatory message after Butler beat Florida to advance to its second straight Final Four.
Butler plays Virginia Commonweatlh in the first Final Four semifinal in Houston on Saturday.
"I texted him congrats and he's texted me throughout the year when we had a tough stretch,"
Vogel said. "He told me to hang in there and things will turn around."
Vogel, who could be mistaken for Stevens' brother, was asked if he planned to start wearing the sporty glasses Stevens wears.
"I'll probably stay away from that look for now,"
Vogel said, laughing.
Dunleavy back in uniform
Swingman Mike Dunleavy, who had missed the previous 19 games with a broken left thumb, was cleared to play Monday.
Dunleavy dressed, but Vogel said he didn't want to play because he hasn't practiced yet.
"The plan is for him to have a full practice (today) and a shootaround Wednesday, and then we'll see where he's at and take it day by day,"
Vogel said.
The Pacers, who sorely miss Dunleavy's offensive IQ, have home games against Detroit on Wednesday and Milwaukee on Friday.
Game conditioning will be key for Dunleavy. He played in a three-on-three game on the practice court before Monday's game against the Boston Celtics.
"Game conditioning is different from drill-work conditioning,"
Vogel said. "I'm more concerned with his timing, playing through contact and stuff like that."
How soon Dunleavy gets back into shape will determine how soon he gets back into the rotation.
"If he looks great, we'll consider starting him; we'll also consider bringing him off the bench,"
Vogel said. "I'm not sure."
