Larry Bird didnt' want Frank Vogel invovled with pre-draft workouts to avoid assumptions among other coaching candidates that Vogel was the head-coach-in-waiting for the Pacers. That must no longer be a concern for Bird.
According to Mike Wells, Bird and Vogel met yesterday to discuss the job and among the topics was Bird's desire to enhance the assistant coaching staff, presumably to add more NBA experience to the bench (Thanks to IndyPacers for the FanPost with thoughts on potential assistant coaches). This makes sense especially when you consider that Walter McCarty and Vitaly Potapenko were just getting their feet wet in the NBA coaching game under Jim O'Brien.
So IF Vogel is named head coach...wait a minute. Can we end this coaching search charade? Announce Vogel's hiring, let him be involved in the draft process and move on.
Wells also reported that after the meeting Vogel notified Jay DeFruscio, Walter McCarty and Vitaly Potapenko that they won't be part of the staff if he's the Pacers coach next season. There's that "if" again. IF it isn't happening then why go through with the salty process of telling your assistants that they should start looking for other work?
Dan Burke, who is running the pre-draft workouts, will remain on the Pacers staff as he has through other coaching changes in the past.
A few more links after the jump, including draft prospect interviews from the Fieldhouse yesterday along with news that Ricky Rubio has signed a deal to play with Minnesota.
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PACERS: Kyle Singler - Draft Prospect Profile
Pacers.com Draft Central has interviews with all of the prospects at the Fieldhouse yesterday. Check bottom of SIngler's page for links to other players. - Pacers staff will likely have new look with new assistants | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
- Lakers assistant Frank Hamblen interested in Indiana Pacers job - latimes.com
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Rubio a Wolf: What does it mean? | StarTribune.com
Jerry Zgoda breaks down the Ricky Rubio signing. - Ricky Rubio plans to join Timberwolves next season - NBA - SI.com
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Estoy llevando mi talento a Minnesota - Canis Hoopus
Canis Hoopus exhales and enjoys the news of Ricky Rubio's signing. - NBA union leader Billy Hunter 'hopeful' after four-hour labor meeting - ESPN
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Comparing the Owners’ and Players’ CBA Proposals
Tim Donahue digs into the nuts and bolts of the CBA discussion. Someone has to do it. -
YouTube - FollowJimmer's Channel
Jimmer's new YouTube channel. - NBA executive: Jimmer Fredette 'could be a star' - CBSSports.com
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Shaq’s gone – for now - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
Adrian Wojnarowski on Shaq's retirement announcement. - Jay Triano will not return as Toronto Raptors' coach - NBA - SI.com
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NBA Draft: Czech center Vesely not working out for teams | ProBasketballTalk
Add Toronto to the list of teams looking for a new coach. - NBA Draft: Bloodlines run deep in 2012 class - NBA - Yahoo! Sports