After three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, The Lakers decided it was time to let Luke Walton go after missing the playoffs yet again. Now, Frank Vogel is leading the charge and with his stops in Indiana and with the Orlando Magic, we have yet to see what he can do with the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers Hire Frank Vogel
A New Start
After missing the playoffs yet again, the Lakers decided to part ways with Luke Walton, hiring Frank Vogel to take his place and try to lead the Lakers back to the playoffs. Frank Vogel will be the 23rd coach in Lakers history. Vogel is a well-respected coach around the league who is more notable from his time with the Indiana Pacers, leading them to consecutive appearances in the eastern conference finals as well as having the best coaching record in Pacers history. That in itself should be a reason for him to get a coaching position. The Lakers seemed to have their sights on Vogel offering him multiple interviews.
Clearing The Smoke
Vogel has a tall task ahead of him, considering all the dysfunction that has been surrounding the Lakers in the last month or so. After a perplexing and long confusing coaching process done by Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka and Kurt Rambis, it is now on Vogel to not only be able to coach this Lakers team to the playoffs. He must also be able to earn the trust and respect from the fans and Lebron James. Vogel has had his share of coaching star players as he was able to coach Danny Granger and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Paul George without too much of a problem. James is a different animal altogether and it has been well documented that coaching James can prove to be rather difficult.
In The Kings House
The big question surrounding the Lakers is how will James be able to adjust and handle the coaching change. This is going to be James 17th season and his eighth head coach. James has always been the consummate professional. He will do all that he is asked and expected. The problem is James brings a championship or bust mentality. Being this is his 17th season his patience levels might be running thin with little room for error. James has always carried the dubious title of being a coach killer. Adding Walton to the list of people to be fired or let go while having James on the roster is a title I’m sure James wants nothing to be a part of. And with Vogel in the mix now, it is the time to change that. There is no question that Vogel has experience and optimism. The question is, does he also have the mentality and urgency needed to coach a player of James magnitude? The Lakers front office seems to have the utmost confidence in Vogel’s abilities to lead a team, and coach but for how long remains to be seen.
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