The Eastern Conference's weak start to the 2013-14 season has benefitted the first-place Indiana Pacers in many ways, most notably in that they have the top spot in the East by three games over the Miami Heat.
Also, since Heat coach Erik Spoelstra coached the East's All-Star squad last season – -and the Pacers are guaranteed to be either in first or second place in the conference by February 2nd — Indiana coach Frank Vogel will be leading the East's top players this upcoming All-Star weekend.
Tuesday's blowout win over the Sacramento Kings clinched the designation for Vogel, who is in his fourth season (third full) coaching this Pacers team that has transformed itself into either the best or next-best (behind the Heat) team in the East in a very short amount of time.
With a 30-7 record (19-1 at home), Indiana has been dominant so far this season and seem to be destined for a Conference Finals matchup with Miami.
The 2014 All-Star Game will be held in New Orleans, home of the NBA's Pelicans and many actual Pelicans, on February 16, and Vogel will be at the helm of an East team that is going to be headlined by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Indiana's own Paul George, in addition to a host of other stars.
Not a bad gig to be coaching a team composed of those-caliber players, even if it is just for one exhibition game.
