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Like Vogel, Pacers show value of work, confidence in beating Heat

The Pacers won't proclaim themselves championship favorites. Not now, not ever. They deflected question after question about the significance of the win after

Chris Mannix

Like Vogel, Pacers show value of work, confidence in beating Heat
Like Vogel, Pacers show value of work, confidence in beating Heat /
Frank Vogel's role in developing his players has generated a fierce loyalty in Indiana's locker room.
Frank Vogel's role in developing his players has generated a fierce loyalty in Indiana's locker room :: Michael Conroy/AP

The Pacers won't proclaim themselves championship favorites. Not now, not ever. They deflected question after question about the significance of the win after the game, refusing to give the Heat anything to hook on to. They know Miami will be lurking in May, and with home court or not the Heat will be a formidable foe. "We won a game," West said. "Nothing else." Yet there is no doubt the quiet confidence inside the Indiana locker room is growing by the day. From the head coach to the players, they believe they belong among the best.

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Chris Mannix
CHRIS MANNIX

Chris Mannix is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated covering the NBA and boxing beats. He joined the SI staff in 2003 following his graduation from Boston College. Mannix is the host of SI's "Open Floor" podcast and serves as a ringside analyst and reporter for DAZN Boxing. He is also a frequent contributor to NBC Sports Boston as an NBA analyst. A nominee for National Sportswriter of the Year in 2022, Mannix has won writing awards from the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Pro Basketball Writers Association, and is a longtime member of both organizations.

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