According to multiple reports, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel’s job is in jeopardy.
In fact, of all the coaches in the NBA, Vogel is one whose position seems the most at risk.
That’s not that surprising when you look at how the Lakers have been performing this year even with talent like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony, and more.
It has only been a few years since Vogel led LA to a championship win but the truth is that there’s a good chance he will be given the heave-ho soon.
Can Vogel change his fate?
The LeBron Curse?
If Vogel does get canned, he won’t be the first coach to work with James and then get fired.
Of all the modern NBA superstars, James has probably gone through the most coaches during his career.
David Blatt, Ty Lue, Luke Walton, Brendan Malone, and Paul Silas are just a few of the coaches who have led James with tenures that didn’t end very well.
It seems that if James isn’t going all the way to the Finals – and winning – front offices become inclined to fire the coach that came up short.
Whether the firings are because of James’ displeasure or the front offices freaking out will never be known but the fact is that James goes through coaches at an alarming pace.
For his part, James seems to be very fond of Vogel and has come to his defense multiple times.
"I believe in what we're capable of doing…we've had guys in and out, especially me." LeBron James is confident in this #Lakers team to play through adversity and reach its full potential. pic.twitter.com/7r8CytATly
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 7, 2021
This Was Always Going To Be A Rough Season
Even though the Lakers have a great roster on paper, most NBA experts always knew that this season wasn’t going to be a walk in the park.
There are many reasons why LA wasn’t going to be working like gangbusters right out of the gate.
For starters, teams that are greatly changed in the offseason take a while to work as a cohesive unit, even when the best players in the league are involved.
Plus, the team is filled with older stars who are not as physically fit as their competitors and also stuck in their ways, meaning it’s harder to change their play-styles and make them mesh with one another.
Additionally, the Western Conference is downright incredible this year so there was never much of a chance they’d be sitting at the top of the ranking.
When you consider all of these factors, Vogel’s record doesn’t look that bad at all.
In fact, it could be argued that most coaches would have the Lakers in much worse shape right now.
Yet, even though so much is stacked against Vogel and his team that doesn’t change the bottom line that the Lakers aren’t playing like a superstar team.
That means that no matter the reasons, Vogel is at risk of getting laid off.
Things Are Getting Better?
Vogel and his fans should breathe a sigh of relief because it looks like LA might be turning things around.
They defeated their age-old rivals, the Boston Celtics, Tuesday night with the big three of James, Davis, and Westbrook playing really well together.
Arguably the best game from the Lakers big three 😤
Bron: 30 PTS, 5 AST
Brodie: 24 PTS, 11 AST
Brow: 17 PTS, 16 REB pic.twitter.com/ASqVF3f516— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 8, 2021
Additionally, Vogel’s lineup has seemingly conquered its third-quarter problems and is playing a lot better together.
It is too soon to tell but the rough patch of the season for the Lakers might be over – and Vogel’s employment uncertainty might have gone with it.
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