When Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird held a press conference to announce that Frank Vogel wouldn't be returning as their head coach next season, he stated that Vogel attempted to delay Bird's decision and sway him the other way.

Bird, via NBA.com:

We talked this morning for probably a half hour on the phone. He was trying to talk me out of this decision. Frank loves it here. His family loves it. He kept bringing it up, can we sit down and delay the news conference and start all over again. He's gonna be missed. He's a good guy. He was good for our community.

Vogel, who has since been hired to be the head coach of the Orlando Magic, is now giving his own version of how that conversation went down.

Transcribed by Phil Friend of the Indy Star, via ESPN's “Mike & Mike” radio show:

“…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. … 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 were poised … I felt like I was going to be able to do that with this group. That was my only mention to Larry.”

Frank Vogel
Indy Star

Vogel also wanted to clear the air regarding reports that there was a schism between Bird and Vogel about the pace the Pacers were playing at as well as some lineup changes.

More from Friend via “Mike & Mike”:

“That’s a misconception about this whole view. Larry and I have been very well aligned all the way through these six years, including the decision to try to play faster and smaller this year,” Vogel said. “This is not something I was resistant to. It’s a style of play I’m going to try to implement with the Orlando Magic. … There was a lot made about Larry vs. Frank and the differences. But throughout the whole process, we were very well aligned.

“It wasn't about difference of opinion or difference of philosophy. It was about change.”

“…Larry … gave me the opportunity of a lifetime six years ago. I have nothing but positive feelings about the Pacers.”

[button width=”full” button size=”bigger” color=”custom” align=”center” textcolor=”#ffffff” texthcolor=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#8b0000″ link=”https://clutchpoints.com/magic-hire-frank-vogel-head-coach/”]NEXT: Magic hire Frank Vogel as new head coach[/button]