The Los Angeles Lakers have parted ways with head coach Frank Vogel following a disappointing 2021-22 season that saw the team miss the NBA playoffs, a rare low point for the storied franchise. The decision, announced on April 11, 2022, comes after a campaign marked by injuries, inconsistent performances, and unmet expectations, despite Vogel’s previous success in leading the Lakers to the 2020 NBA championship.
A Disappointing Season for the Lakers
The 2021-22 season was a challenging one for the Lakers, who finished with a 33-49 record, placing them 11th in the Western Conference. The team’s struggles culminated in a failure to qualify for the playoffs, a stark contrast to their championship triumph two years prior. Their final game, a 146-141 overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets on April 10, 2022, was not enough to salvage the season or Vogel’s position. The Lakers’ campaign was plagued by injuries, particularly to star players LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook, who played together in only 21 games, posting an 11-10 record in those matchups.
The team’s performance declined significantly after the All-Star break, with 18 losses in their final 24 games. Only the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Indiana Pacers had worse records during this period. The Lakers also struggled defensively, ranking 21st in defensive rating, a sharp drop from their first-place finish in 2020-21 and third-place finish in 2019-20 under Vogel’s leadership.
Vogel’s Tenure and Legacy with the Lakers
Frank Vogel joined the Lakers in 2019 on a three-year contract and quickly made an impact, guiding the team to the 2020 NBA championship in the Orlando bubble. His defensive strategies earned the Lakers a reputation as one of the league’s top defensive units during his first two seasons. Following the championship, Vogel was rewarded with a contract extension in 2021. However, the 2021-22 season saw the team falter, finishing in the bottom 10 for both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Lakers general manager and vice-president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka described the decision to part ways with Vogel as incredibly difficult but necessary. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Frank both on and off the court,” Pelinka said. “Frank is a great coach and a good man. We will forever be grateful to him for his work in guiding us to the 2019-20 NBA championship.” Vogel, the only coach besides Phil Jackson to lead the Lakers to a title in the past 30 years, leaves with a 127-98 record over his three-year tenure.
Support from LeBron James and Future Outlook
LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion and one of the Lakers’ cornerstone players, expressed admiration for Vogel despite the team’s struggles. “I respect Frank as a coach, as a man,” James said, highlighting their candid, great conversations over the years. The 37-year-old, who missed the playoffs for only the fourth time in his 19-year career, acknowledged Vogel’s dedication to the game.
With Vogel’s departure, the Lakers face the task of finding their sixth full-time head coach since Phil Jackson’s retirement in 2011. The NFF has indicated that the search for a new coach will be thorough, with no clear frontrunner yet identified. Vogel, with a proven track record that includes a championship and three conference finals appearances across his stints with the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and the Lakers, is likely to attract interest from other NBA teams.
Reflecting on a Challenging Season
The Lakers entered the 2021-22 season as Western Conference favorites, bolstered by a star-studded roster. However, injuries and inconsistent play derailed their campaign, leaving fans and analysts disappointed. The team’s 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns, part of a seven-game losing streak, underscored their struggles. As the Lakers look to rebuild, the focus will be on addressing roster health and finding a coach capable of restoring the team’s championship pedigree.
