3 reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers firing Frank Vogel would be asinine
By Jason Reed
![LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the third quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on January 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the third quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on January 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0cbdb044a378d1cefb8f6029120e922f6a24ca4f07b9b4105bf7a2ca9594e32b.jpg)
2. The issues with the Los Angeles Lakers are not because of Frank Vogel
The Los Angeles Lakers have been very disappointing this season. Has Frank Vogel been part of that equation? Yes, he has. Has he been a big part of that equation? No, he hasn’t. Most of the issues that the team is having is because of roster decisions that the front office made.
I know that he is not very popular with Laker fans because he is a Celtics die-hard, but Bill Simmons makes some excellent points about what has gone wrong with the Lakers this season.
Vogel maybe being the fall guy for…
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 18, 2022
—The idiotic Westbrook trade
—Davis putting on too much muscle then getting hurt
—THT over Caruso
—Thinking DJ + Ariza could help
—Prioritizing shooting over perimeter D in free agency
—Rigid cap, no trade flexibility at all
I mean… come on
The only point that I disagree with is Anthony Davis putting on too much muscle. Davis has been really bad while healthy this season but I do not think it is from his muscle, it is from the fact that they have a point guard who makes Davis play like a stretch four when he is not a stretch four.
The Lakers went all-in on the Westbrook trade in the offseason and is has backfired as a result. It was predictable when it happened yet we are still acting surprised and trying to blame the head coach? Why? Because his rotations have not been perfect at times?
Let me let you in on a little something. Rotations are not meant to be perfect in the regular season, especially when you are put into a position like Vogel. The Lakers have had virtually no roster rollover. This is the third BRAND-NEW team that Vogel has had to coach in three consecutive seasons.
When you are given so many new players you have to figure out how they work together in the regular season, even if that means making some moves that do not maximize the team. Could Vogel have been quicker with some of his decisions? Absolutely. But you HAVE to try new things when you are a team with no cohesion and no identity. That way once the playoffs roll around you know what the best version of the rotation is and can deploy it with confidence.