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Los Angeles Lakers: Frank Vogel’s defensive genius versus Houston

By Davide Tovani

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers signals against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers signals against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Reacting to the double teaming

Double-teaming a player has a cost. You shut out a player to leave another alone.

Cutting Harden away from the offense is a necessary move to have at least a chance, although it means taking the risk to have another player on the floor not covered by a defender. You have to take that chance.

Playing without bigs gives the confidence to know that it will not probably be a player alone in the middle of the area. All the Rockets station around the arc, which means the risk of a lower percentage shot. You prefer leaving that alone. You can leave with it.

Furthermore, the Los Angeles Lakers rotated like crazy to be able to cover that free player, making sure to cover everyone else on the floor. They moved quickly and fast and were super reactive, trying to leave nothing to chance.

Particularly in Game 2, it was incredible how effectively they rotated. It was hard to keep track of their movements for how fast they were, but they never made mistakes leaving someone alone in the middle of the area or ending up in two on the same player.

An unbelievable effort.

However, the blanket is short, and when you pull from a side another gets uncovered. Whenever you double team, a three-on-four covering remains. As fast and good as you can be, at times you will not be fast enough to prevent the free player to shoot. But it is taken into account. As long as he misses it is fine, you got your advantage.

But when in the third quarter of Game 2 Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker went on a hot streak Houston came back in the game after the Lakers had led by 20 in the first half.

What has been most remarkable of Vogel’s plan, though, is that he remained cool. He did not panic rushing into changing approach. He stayed the course. Because such a drop was expected. It is part of the idea that at some point they are going to make those threes but it is not going to last forever, and they will not be enough to even the missed ones that allowed the opponent to build its lead.

They could not make 100 percent of their three-point shots and sooner or later the tide would have changed, turning in favor of the purple and gold. In the end, Vogel’s strategy would pay off.

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