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Los Angeles Lakers: Is this the end of a championship era?

By Ed Schrenzel

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Frank Vogel: Time for the Los Angeles Lakers to show him the door?

This is one of the more ridiculous notions that fans have expressed on social media. During the championship run last year, Vogel coached the team brilliantly. He made the right adjustments in every series and pushed all the correct buttons.

This season, before LeBron went down, the team sported a 21-6 record and was considered the favorite to win the title. But without his two stars, Vogel had to effectively coach with one hand tied behind his back.

Team defense is Vogel’s calling card. It was defense that propelled the team to the championship. This season, even without James and Davis, who is one of the league’s premier defenders, the Lakers were still among the league leaders in almost all defensive categories.

Vogel has been criticized for his rotation choices. But his fallback is nearly always defense. He knew that this Lakers team, without either of its two stars shining, was offensively limited and couldn’t keep up with Phoenix.

So he understood that the Lakers had to try to limit the Suns’ offense. That meant, among other seemingly unpopular decisions, moving Montrezl Harrell, a below-average defender, to the deep part of the bench.

But in the end, it scarcely mattered. The obvious fact was that if AD was unable to contribute and LeBron couldn’t drive to the hoop, the Lakers simply were not going to beat Phoenix. No matter what lineup Vogel employed, the team would have come up short.

Blaming Vogel for the team’s early exit is absurd. He is well-liked by the players and has the support of both James and Davis. Fortunately, GM Rob Pelinka seems to realize what an excellent coach Vogel actually is. It appears likely that the Lakers will extend his contract. That is truly good news for fans, whether they appreciate it or not.

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