Frank Vogel became the Los Angeles Lakers head coach after they parted ways with Luke Walton. Even though Vogel wasn’t at the top of general manager Rob Pelinka’s wish list, the Lakers turned to him following Monty Williams’ snub and a fall out with Tyronn Lue.
The Indiana Pacers fired Vogel back in 2016 despite leading them to two straight Eastern Conference Finals and the playoffs in five out of the six seasons during his stint. Vogel’s career took a big hit in the last two years when he coached Orlando Magic.
Following poor results with the Magic, Vogel failed to attract interest from NBA teams. But suddenly, the Los Angeles Lakers came knocking on his door, and Vogel received an offer he couldn’t refuse. Pelinka also hired former New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks legend Jason Kidd to serve as a top assistant.
“I wasn’t coming off the type of success I had in Indiana,” Vogel said. “So I did feel around the league that the interest wasn’t quite as strong … I don’t know if I would say there’s any doubting of myself, but it does take its toll on you. We are human at the end of the day and when you’re not having success as a coach you like to feel like you could take any group and make them play hard, play together, share the basketball, work on a defensive end and win. You know what I mean? But the chips don’t always align that way, you’re not always going to have success.”
Frank Vogel says #NBA’s lack of interest until @Lakers hired him took a toll. #NBA https://t.co/QiKKZy6fKF pic.twitter.com/lkHwqy6J3Z
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 30, 2019
With all eyes on the Lakers this upcoming season, there is no doubt Vogel will be under tremendous pressure. The Lakers failed to make the playoffs in each of the last six years, the longest drought in franchise history. However, now with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster, Vogel is expected not only to reach the postseason but to even challenge for the title.
