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Vogel: It's an inaccurate perception that I begged Pacers to stay

David Richard / USA TODAY Sports

Three weeks after he was let go by the Indiana Pacers, Frank Vogel is attempting to clear the air regarding some comments made by his former employer.

Pacers president Larry Bird said following Vogel's dismissal that the head coach tried to talk Bird out of letting him go, and even asked to delay the news conference in order to keep discussing a possible arrangement where he could remain on.

Vogel, who is now the head coach for the Orlando Magic, said the conversation didn't quite go as Bird illustrated.

"Larry's going to speak his mind. A lot of people talked to me about it who didn't like that and it's probably an inaccurate perception that I was begging him to stay," Vogel told Phil Friend of the Indianapolis Star. "I fully respect Larry and the process. He knew it was going to be an unpopular move but he did what he had to do.

"I felt like we were on the verge of some big things. We stood toe-to-toe with a 56-win team. I told my team after the series that we're poised ... I felt like I was going to be able to do that with this group. That was my only mention to Larry."

Vogel compiled a 250-181 record in 5-plus seasons as head coach of the Pacers. Indiana almost took down the second-seeded Toronto Raptors in this year's playoffs, losing in Game 7. Still, Bird believed it was the right time to bring in a new voice, promoting assistant Nate McMillan into the head coaching position.

"At the end of the day, you don't know what the direction of the franchise is going to be. I was in the last year of my contract, so all year I had an understanding this could happen and you have to respect Larry Bird and the Pacers franchise for making a tough call (and) doing that they feel was right," Vogel said.

"He felt it was the right time for the Pacers. It's not anything indicting of me or the job that I did, but he has always felt that type of change can be good for a franchise. Larry ... gave me the opportunity of a lifetime six years ago. I have nothing but positive feelings about the Pacers."

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