The Los Angeles Lakers have had an up and down start to the 2021-22 NBA season. They are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference with a record of 10-10. Injuries have played a big part in the inconsistencies as the Lakers have not had their expected rotation once yet this season.
Kendrick Nunn and Trevor Ariza have yet to suit up this season and remain without timetables to return. Talen Horton-Tucker has appeared in only seven games as he recovered from surgery on his finger. LeBron James has played in only nine, dealing with ankle soreness, an abdominal injury and a one-game suspension from the league for his role in the altercation with Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons.
As a result, Frank Vogel has had to constantly shuffle his lineup and rotations. That would normally give people a little bit of slack, but when you are the head coach of the Lakers, the leash is a little bit shorter.
Vogel helped lead the team to a championship in the Orlando Bubble in 2020, but he has arguably the hottest seat among head coaches in the NBA. With Luke Walton being the first head coach fired by the Sacramento Kings, there is a chance Vogel is next.
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NBA insider Marc Stein provided an update on his Substack, which requires a paid subscription, that isn’t an encouraging one for Vogel’s job security. Buzz is mounting about the pressure that he is facing.
“There is also rising buzz in coaching circles about the pressure mounting on Frank Vogel given the Lakers’ worrisome 10-10 start … given L.A.’s lack of flexibility to make roster changes.”
Normally, it would be shocking for a head coach to be under so much pressure that won a championship just over a year ago. But, for a team as impatient as the Lakers, this is what you sign up for when you agree to be their head coach.
Vogel signed a three-year deal when he became head coach of the team, which in large part, is why he got the job in the first place. Tyronn Lue is who the franchise wanted, but he would not accept only a three-year deal.
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His contract status is part of the reason that he could be on the hot seat, as he only received a one-year extension through 2023. Also, when you are coaching LeBron James, you can never get too comfortable as coaches have been fired at the drop of a hat from teams he was playing for.
If the organization does not believe Vogel is the man best equipped to help get this team to another championship, the Los Angeles Lakers will not be afraid to make a move and hire someone they think can get the job done.
