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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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Rajon Rondo #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

5. The final stroke

For the grand finale Vogel had one more ace up his sleeve. The unexpected move that took the Rockets by surprise throwing them off balance. Putting Rajon Rondo on a full-court pressure on Harden.

Maybe neither Vogel expected it to work so well. Rondo’s defense was incredibly competent, especially in Game 2. He was quick, smart, reactive. It is hard to believe that just in his second game in six months he could be so physically ready and effective.

He looked more like his younger All-Defensive-Team-self.  He certainly put some pressure on Harden and did not allow him to act freely as he would like, also stealing the ball from him.

In Game 3, he spent a short time on him in the fourth, but he had another key steal in the quarter from the former MVP.

6. The unforeseen

Even Frank Vogel did not predict it. This was the unexpected component of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game. LeBron James’ defensive effort is out of the charts. For the series, he is averaging 2.7 blocks.

At 35 years old he is flying in the area like he was in his twenties, rejecting opponents shots with emphatic home-run blocks in key moments of the games. In Game 3, he had four huge blocks, going short of the fifth because his finger got entangled in the rim.

LeBron is putting all himself in these playoffs and giving his maximum effort, playing at an MVP level that includes a defensive impact that not many were expecting, crucial in the situations where the exhausted teammates get beaten off the dribble.

Apparently, Vogel has really found the key to beat this Rockets team. This strategy has been proving really effective for the Los Angeles Lakers, keeping Houston way under control for most of the games and providing big runs. So far, D’Antoni has not tried to make any adjustments, and it does not look like he has many option with that kind of roster.

Anyway, it cannot be ruled out that he will come up with something in the next game. The Lakers must be ready to react and adapt their game plan.

Next. 5 lessons from Game 3 win over Houston. dark

At this point, it looks like this series might become more of a clash of minds between Vogel and D’Antoni than a battle of talented players.

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