After the most recent Pacers loss coach Frank Vogel said he thought his starters looked tired. This was a team that put a premium earlier in the season on getting the No. 1 seed in the East and they have faded lately, they have looked mentally disinterested (save vs. Miami) so maybe there is something to the burnout talk.
So, with four games left, the Pacers are going to rest guys – Paul George David West specifically asked for it. You can bet Roy Hibbert will be in that mix.
That’s what coach Frank Vogel told media members Tuesday, including Scott Agnes of pacers.com.
Vogel said PG and DWest, two guys that have played every game, came to him about rest. Vogel regrets not giving them more days off In March.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) April 8, 2014
Vogel on tomorrow: "Not everybody will play. We’ll pick our spots over the final four games to get the guys that need rest some rest."
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) April 8, 2014
Vogel: "I think getting them some rest will make them fresher going into the playoffs. It’s not the answer, but I think it’s part of it."
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) April 8, 2014
I agree with Vogel that this is not the lone problem, the Pacers have a series of overlapping issues that have led to their recent collapse.
However, rest — physical and mental — is part of what is needed. The Pacers need to step back, catch their breath and then come at their problems. There is a reason Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, Doc Rivers and a host of other quality NBA coaches rest guys down the stretch (or at various points during the season).
The Pacers should do it if that means accepting the No. 2 seed in the East.
