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Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the 7 greatest coaches since 1980

By Eric Hirsch

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers slaps hands with Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half in Game Three of the first round of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers slaps hands with Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half in Game Three of the first round of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images – Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images – Los Angeles Lakers /

Top 7 Los Angeles Lakers head coaches since 1980: 3. Frank Vogel

When the Lakers hired Frank Vogel in the 2019 off-season, many assumed that he was merely filling the role until Jason Kidd proved ready to seize the reins. Others wondered whether he could manage the superstar egos of LeBron James and newcomer, Anthony Davis.

Vogel had previously spent several seasons losing to James in the playoffs as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Would he be able to earn LeBron’s full and undivided respect and loyalty? Not to mention the Lakers were coming off a highly disappointing 2018-19 campaign that culminated in the team unexpectedly missing the playoffs. It was not an easy time to take over as head coach.

But boy did Vogel prove everyone wrong. The defensive-minded Vogel pressed all the right buttons as James and Davis meshed better than anybody could have expected. James enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career and the Lakers emerged as a top-5 defense. The Lakers were sitting at first place in the West with a 49-14 record before COVID-19 brought the season to a halt.

Once the season resumed months later in the NBA Bubble, the Lakers looked poised and ready to make a run at the franchise’s first title since 2010. Behind the impeccable play of James and Davis, the Lakers recorded gentleman’s sweeps (four games to one) over the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets.

Notably, Vogel’s suffocating defense proved too much for offensive superstars like Damian Lillard, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokic, and Jamal Murray. In the Finals, the Lakers overpowered the upstart Miami Heat in six games to capture the title. Vogel’s performance surpassed all expectations.

Coming off a severely shortened offseason, the Lakers didn’t fare nearly as well in 2021. Injuries to Davis and James crushed their chances at repeating as the 1-seed. But thanks in large part to having the league’s best defense, Los Angeles still managed to go 42-30 and secure the 7-seed and a spot in the inaugural NBA Play-In Tournament.

A marquee, clutch playoff performance by James pushed the Lakers past the Golden State Warriors and into a first-round matchup with the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers took a 2-1 series lead but an injury to Davis shifted all the momentum to the Suns, who proceeded to win three in a row to advance.

No one would rightfully blame Vogel for the injury-caused premature elimination. Instead, everyone should heap praise on Vogel for playing a pivotal role in helping the Lakers get back to where they belong: on top of the mountain.

BEST SEASON: 

2019-20: 52-19; 1-seed; Won NBA Championship (4-2 over Miami)

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