NBA: 3 head coaches facing the most pressure to deliver big in 2021-22
3. Frank Vogel, Los Angeles Lakers
Frank Vogel is coaching the favorite in the West, an iconic franchise, and has recently signed an extension. It’s easy to say that of the three choices, his job is the most inviable. I would agree, but there are still a ton of difficult tasks associated with being the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Number one, you have to defer to LeBron James. It’s no secret that LeBron, for the most part, runs the franchise. Especially as far roster personnel, his minutes, and a ton of other things. And he must understand that it’s Lebron’s way or the highway. Which, I think Vogel is okay with.
Number two, other than LeBron, this Laker’s team, in particular, has some older established guys which all in all is a good thing. But these guys are what they are at this point. They’re going to do what they want to do and operate under their own agenda. If they choose to buy in, it’ll be their choice, their decision, Vogel will have to be okay with these guys running the show.
Lastly, the expectations. Now, all three of these coaches will have expectations, because their rosters are talented. So this isn’t exclusive to Vogel but if there is some unforeseen circumstance, in which the Lakers get eliminated in the first round, or have a bad season. Vogel will most likely be the fall guy. Who are the fans going to turn on if it goes south? Lebron? AD? No way, the coach will always be the fall guy, especially a guy like Vogel who has been fired before and isn’t a former player.
I mean, if you look at it from his previous coaching jobs, Where would you rather be? The dumpster fire Orlando Magic head coach during a rebuild? Or what about that scrappy small-market Indiana Pacers team with Paul George counting down the days until he’s a free agent? Or would you rather be the coach of a few difficult hall of famers on the Lakers and win a few championships? So even with all the challenges this job brings, it’s still a chance to coach one of the greatest players ever, on the most historic franchise ever.