Frank Vogel denied comments made by Larry Bird that he begged to remain head coach of the Indiana Pacers during the morning before he was let go. Bird made those remarks during his press conference explaining the decision.

"I was OK with that. 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 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 said he and Bird shared the same philosophy on how they wanted the Pacers to play.

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."

Vogel has since been hired as head coach of the Orlando Magic.

Frank Vogel is excited for his opportunity with the Orlando Magic after the Indiana Pacers parted ways with him.

Vogel, unlike so many others over the years, really wants to be with the franchise.

"This organization checked off all the boxes," Vogel said. "This is the place I felt my family and I would be happy. … I'm confident we can create something in Orlando that's even better on all fronts than what we accomplished in Indiana."

Scott Skiles surprisingly stepped down as head coach of the Magic.

"I didn't talk to him [Skiles] and I'm not worried about the situation of how he left," Vogel said. "I make my own judgments on people. Everybody's personal relationships are different. I'm sure Scott has reasons for leaving that were right for him and his family, but they didn't impact my decision one bit. I wanted to talk to the people in Orlando myself and see what kind of connection I had with them — and right off the bat I knew this was a great fit for me."

Adrian Griffin is signed through the 17-18 season with the Orlando Magic and a team option for the 18-19 season as an assistant coach.

Griffin was a finalist for Orlando's job that went to Frank Vogel.

Griffin is expected to receive interest throughout the NBA as an associate head coach or as a lead assistant coach.

Griffin could be reunited with Tom Thibodeau and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Frank Vogel and the Orlando Magic have agreed upon a deal for him to become head coach.

The Indiana Pacers parted ways with Vogel shortly after their season ended.

Scott Skiles stepped down as head coach last week.

Vogel has developed a reputation as one of the NBA's better defensive coaches.

Adrian Griffin was the other finalist for Orlando's job.

The Orlando Magic are optimistic they will be able to hire Frank Vogel as head coach despite competition from the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Orlando Sentinel reported Thursday morning that Vogel has met with the DeVos family that owns the team.

Orlando has been trying to decide between Vogel and Adrian Griffin this week.

Vogel had already established himself as the Grizzlies' top choice by the time the Magic joined the bidding this week.

The Orlando Magic have completed interviews with Frank Vogel and Adrian Griffin.

Vogel and Griffin are believed to be Orlando's top two targets.

Griffin met with Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan on Tuesday in New York, and Vogel met with Magic officials on Monday.

Griffin is a popular choice among many of the Magic players, earning the locker room's respect as the top assistant on former coach Scott Skiles' staff this season. 

The Philadelphia 76ers have won the NBA Draft Lottery while the Los Angeles Lakers get to keep their pick at No. 2 and the Boston Celtics will draft third.

For the second straight season, the team with the worst record in the NBA won the lottery after the Wolves won it in 2015. The NBA had 10 straight seasons of a team moving up before Minnesota.

1. Philadelphia 76ers

2. Los Angeles Lakers

3. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn)

4. Phoenix Suns

5. Minnesota Timberwolves 

6. New Orleans Pelicans 

7. Denver Nuggets (swap with Knicks)

8. Sacramento Kings 

9. Toronto Raptors (from Knicks via Denver swap)

10. Milwaukee Bucks

11. Orlando Magic 

12. Utah Jazz

13. Phoenix Suns (from Washington)

14. Chicago Bulls

Complete your own NBA Mock Draft with our simulator.

On Thursday and again on Friday, Rob Hennigan said the Orlando Magic would seek to hire someone who places a high value on the defensive end of the court.

"Sort of the fulcrum of what we're looking for," Hennigan said Friday, "is someone who puts an emphasis on the defensive end of the floor, someone who puts an emphasis on player development and also someone who puts an emphasis on building lasting connections with the players on our roster."

The Magic have had four head coaches since 11-12, but Hennigan doesn't believe the instability will be perceived as a drawback by candidates.

"I don't think it makes it a more difficult sell," Hennigan said. "I think it heightens the pressure on our staff to make sure we nail this hire."

The Orlando Magic have confirmed they will reach out to Frank Vogel as they begin their search for a new head coach.

Scott Skiles stepped down as Orlando head coach this week in a surprise development.

Hennigan stopped short of saying Vogel is Orlando's preferred candidate.

The Magic have yet to even assemble their full list of candidates.

Vogel is also a candidate for the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies.

Scott Skiles has stepped down as head coach of the Orlando Magic after just one season.

Skiles explained the decision in a statement.

“After much thought and careful consideration, I and I alone, have come to the conclusion that I am not the right head coach for this team,” said Skiles. “Therefore, effective immediately, I resign my position as head coach of the Orlando Magic. I realize this type of decision can cause much speculation. The reality though is in the first sentence. It is simple and true. Any other rumors are pure conjecture.”

“I sincerely apologize for any unintended consequences that may adversely affect anyone associated with this decision,” Skiles continued. “The Magic are a world-class organization that employs world-class people. I wish them nothing but great success. I will always be thankful, especially to the DeVos family, for the opportunity.”

“While we understand it was a challenging season, we reluctantly have accepted Scott’s (Skiles) resignation,” said Hennigan. “We appreciate Scott instilling a culture of accountability and certainly wish him and his family well.”

During his first season with the Magic (2015-16), Orlando finished with a 35-47 record, which was a ten-game improvement from the 2014-15 campaign.