‘A family approach’: The Lakers are

rolling and, to the surprise of many,

their coaching staff is making it all work
Sam Amick (/author/sam-amick/) Nov 25, 2019 15

Even LeBron James’ closest associates didn’t know how this latest
coaching relationship might work.

After all the weirdness that led to the Lakers’ hiring of Frank Vogel
during the summer, when they chased LeBron’s old coach (Tyronn Lue)
to no avail and missed out on Anthony Davis’ former coach too (Monty
Williams), there was a widespread sense that it could get prickly again if
Vogel didn’t gain their trust early on. Especially when Jason Kidd was
added to Vogel’s staff and so many around the league saw him as the
head-coach-in-waiting.
Lest anyone forget, Luke Walton was berated by former Lakers
executive Magic Johnson
(https://theathletic.com/916154/2019/04/10/magic-show-flop-why-
the-lakers-legend-should-be-embarrassed-about-his-exit/) just seven
games into last season as general manager Rob Pelinka stood by his side.
And that was before Davis’ arrival in June made them title contenders
and placed an even brighter spotlight squarely on Vogel’s head. It’s a
moot point now, but a lackluster start would have inspired all sorts of
uncomfortable questions about what might come next for this staff that
boasts three former head coaches in Vogel, Kidd and Lionel Hollins
(https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/hollili01c.html).

Alas, here they are: Entering Monday – with the 34-year-old James
looking capable of winning his fifth MVP honor, Davis fitting in
beautifully on both ends of the floor and so many surrounding pieces
meshing so well therein – the Lakers not only have the league’s best
record (14-2) and the league’s third-best net rating (7.9) but also have a
prime chance to keep it going from here. Their next three games come
against lesser foes in San Antonio (6-11), New Orleans (6-10) and
Washington (5-8).

Cue Vogel, 46, breathing a well-deserved sigh of relief, and not only
because his Lakers are ahead of the NBA pack.

He appears to be blending well with Kidd, who is 18 months removed

from his firing as Milwaukee’s head coach and more than five years
removed from the shady ending to his debut head coaching season in
Brooklyn
(https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/lawrence-
russians-learn-cold-war-jason-kidd-article-1.1850235) that led to his
Bucks tenure. But the defensive acumen that earned Vogel the job in the
first place, which was such a foundational part of those Indiana Pacers
teams that pushed LeBron so hard during his Miami Heat days, is
making an impact in Laker Land now too.

These massive and spry Lakers are fourth in defensive rating (102.5
points allowed per 100 possessions) and first in blocks (7.6 per game,
with Minnesota second at 6.7). Vogel, a former Lakers advance scout
(2005-06) whose Pacers teams led the league in defensive rating twice
during his six seasons there (2010-16) and were top 10 five times, is
earning the respect of his new co-workers in the kind of way that
couldn’t have been assumed when they all clocked in together for the
first time.

“I felt that we would be extremely prepared as an organization and as a

ballclub,” James, who faced Vogel’s Pacers three times in the playoffs
while with the Heat (including twice in the Eastern Conference Finals),
told reporters during training camp. “(Those Pacers teams) were always
one of our toughest opponents when I was in Miami, when he was at
the helm. They were always prepared, as well as we were as well in
Miami, so I knew that for sure once Rob (Pelinka) and everyone upstairs
decided to choose him to be our head coach, I knew we would be very
prepared.”
By all accounts, Vogel – whose staff also includes renowned player
development assistant Phil Handy
(https://theathletic.com/997374/2019/05/29/a-familiar-foe-meet-the-
man-who-has-more-experience-facing-the-warriors-in-the-finals-than-
anyone/) – is living up to his reputation as one of the game’s most
diligent and deliberate defensive gurus. Yet as Vogel is the first to tell
you, LeBron’s buy-in on both ends of the floor has been as big an X-
factor as you’ll find.

“Whatever the history is (between him and James), LeBron has been a
leader,” Vogel told The Athletic recently of James, who is averaging 25.2
points, a league-leading 10.8 assists, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals. “To me,
the best leaders are the ones that follow the lead of the coach. Forgetting
the history and all that, he’s been great since I’ve been here. I’ve tried to
present a vision of a style of play that makes sense, that fits our
personnel, and he has kind of gotten behind that.”

As it turns out, the self-proclaimed #WashedKing

(https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/lakers/2019/11/06/lebron-
james-los-angeles-lakers-nba-calls-himself-washed-king/4175593002/)
isn’t washed on the defensive end. James himself announced on Nov. 19
that, “It’s a new year!” when it comes to his defense, playfully telling
official Marc Davis (https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/11/lakers-lebron-
james-referee-defense-video) in a game against Oklahoma City that
times had changed when it comes to his defense. Jokes aside, any scout
worth his salt will tell you that this is a level of defensive effort and
engagement that we haven’t seen out of James for years.
Yet above all else, it’s this early revelation that this Lakers coaching staff
is working in concert with one another – rather than in conflict, like so
many expected – that might make all the difference in the end. But do
these early perceptions meet the reality behind the scenes? And how,
after two rebuilding seasons in Orlando where Vogel was unable to
make his defensive Magic work, did he take on the pressure-filled task?

In an attempt to understand these dynamics that will be so vital to their

title hopes, The Athletic broke it all down with a few Lakers whose
combination of defensive know-how and extensive experience give them
a unique and relevant view here: Vogel, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley and
Jared Dudley.

Vogel, a former Division III point guard

(https://theathletic.com/1313631/2019/10/22/how-frank-vogels-
lebron-obsession-prepared-him-to-coach-the-lakers-star/) whose NBA
career began as a video coordinator for then-Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino
in 2001 and who entered the season with a career record of 304-291 in eight
seasons (https://www.basketball-
reference.com/coaches/vogelfr99c.html) as a head coach

“You know, my Orlando years were basically spent tweaking my Pacers

defense to fit the five-out (center out) modern NBA. I had to break a lot
of things that we were doing in Indiana because they weren’t going to
work here in the new NBA, and we adjusted some initially in Orlando
but continued to tweak in the whole two years I was there (where the
Magic were a combined 54-110). The last two or three months of my
year I got fired (in 2018), we were out of the playoff race, so it was like a
laboratory of ‘Let’s figure this thing out,’ you know what I mean? And
we came up with some strong rules that help: Keep length at the basket,
keep speed on the perimeter, (don’t) allow your defense to be inverted as
much as the rest of the league is allowing their defense to be inverted,
and then obviously there’s a lot of the principles from the defense we
had in Indiana that are just good defensive principles that we try to carry
over too.

“(The Magic approach) was adjust-and-tweak so we can win, but the

last two months we were like 15 games back, and were already being
asked to play the young players and all that, so I didn’t just throw in the
towel. I said, ‘Let’s be experimental.’ …The priorities (are) shot priority:
We want to not give up free throws (they’re seventh
(https://stats.nba.com/teams/opponent/?sort=OPP_FTA&dir=-1) in
the NBA in opponent free throw attempts), layups; ‘don’t foul’ is the first
priority, nothing in the paint is second priority (eighth in opponent
points in the paint (https://stats.nba.com/teams/defense/?
sort=OPP_PTS_PAINT&dir=-1)), and no threes (fifth in opponent
threes made (https://stats.nba.com/teams/opponent/?
sort=OPP_FG3M&dir=-1)). We want to force teams into the midrange
as much as possible.”
Rajon Rondo, the 33-year-old, four-time All-Star who has had his share
of run-ins with coaches
(https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/2/26/8114369/complete-
history-rajon-rondo-pissing-off-coaches-benched) in the past and who –
as it turns out – wants to be a head coach someday
(https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/sports/basketball/rajon-rondo-
pelicans.html?mtrref=www.google.com)…

“The biggest thing is that we’re all bought in. You get the team to that,
and that’s over half the battle. …I’m always trying to (absorb) and learn.
I always have an open mind, just to figure out people’s different
philosophies. You’ve got to give it a try. (Vogel) has been in the league
for a long time, and it’s not for (no) reason. What he did with his team
in Indiana, what he’s done his whole career (matters). You don’t take that
for granted. So I came in with an open mind listening to what he has to
say and his philosophies, and I couldn’t agree with him more – 100
percent. What I love most about him is how he teaches in the film
room.

“He calls guys out. He teaches the right way, with constructive criticism.
And like I said, the guys are so receptive. So then you go out on the
court, and we go over it, and next thing you know it shows up in the
game. It’s the repetition of what he does in that room, and how it
translates to the court, which is big. I haven’t seen a group of guys (like
this) who gravitate to a coach who’s brand new, with a new system and a
lot of first-year guys coming together. We’ve all bought in.
“The staff is unbelievable, and not just Frank. It’s the assistant coaches
that he has, their style, the way he empowers them, the way they
empower him. It’s a fun staff to be a part of. J-Kidd gets on my ass. Phil
Handy gets on my ass. I love to be coached and to pick their brains. And
I’m going to go back at them if I think it’s necessary or a need, but at the
same time there’s still a respect factor, and a respect level that we have
for one another which allows us to continue to get better and grow.

“If you can talk to (LeBron as the coach), you can talk to anybody.
(Vogel’s) delivery, his communication, is great. That’s what I think I’m
learning (about) for my future, if I want to go that route. I take notes
every day. I’m trying to learn from coach. Sometimes I’ll write them
down. Sometimes I’ll take a picture of the scouting report, what his
philosophy is before the game and take a couple things I love about what
he does and just continue to grow as a player.

“We obviously understand: (Vogel) has one goal, which is to coach as

best he can to get us to the top. And we have so many veteran guys that
there’s no egos in the way. We all believe in the goal as well, so whatever
the coach asks for us we want to continue to get better. And like I said,
the film doesn’t lie. You can make all the excuses you want during the
game, but once you get in that film room and realize it’s like looking in
the mirror, you realize that we’re all men and we’re all vets so we hold
each other accountable.”

Avery Bradley, the Lakers’ 28-year-old guard who has been a member of the
NBA’s all-defense teams twice (and who is currently recovering from a
hairline fracture in his right leg)
“I’ve never had a coach teach (like this) and feel comfortable enough to
teach guys stuff they can improve on the defensive end. Like (Lakers
center) Dwight (Howard at a recent practice), he’s showing how he can
help our team by not fouling as much on certain plays. And he’s been
doing that for everybody. Like even myself, I had been struggling a lot in
the preseason, had a lot of fouls. But (now) I’m just trying to be efficient.
It’s about a way you can help your team. I feel like it’s selfish when you’re
fouling, just making plays that – going for steals every single possession
was putting me out of position and putting my teammates in bad
situations to commit fouls or for the team to score.

“We’re doing the same thing on the offensive end. We have a great
coach in Frank and Jason Kidd. Those guys are talking to us all the time,
so we’re improving every single day. When our offense catches up? It’ll
be scary. (The Lakers’ offense is currently eighth in offensive rating).”

Jared Dudley, the 34-year-old forward who is playing in his 13th season with
his ninth team and who played under Kidd during his Bucks tenure (2014-
15)…

“Some people might be saying (Kidd) is gunning for his job, (but) I see a
family approach. I see them laughing. I see Vogel laughing with Kidd
and Lionel Hollins. You see how they all have their own role. …
Obviously Vogel’s a big defensive guy, (so) you have (him) breaking
down the opponents. Phil Handy (who is very popular among NBA
stars and who took part in the last five Finals
(https://theathletic.com/997374/2019/05/29/a-familiar-foe-meet-the-
man-who-has-more-experience-facing-the-warriors-in-the-finals-than-
anyone/)), going over certain personnel. (You have) Jason Kidd, because
of familiarity with certain players. … When he speaks offense you’re
more keen. You’d think that would be a little rocky trying to figure
people out man, but he’s a player’s coach. He asks for opinions. He said
‘This is what I like to do, what are your guys’ views on it, and eventually
he makes a decision.’

“I think that (Kidd) is more keen to listen (in this role compared to the
Bucks). The first thing he ever told me was like, man, ‘Phil Handy’s
really good.’ That was the first thing he even told me. …And that ended
up being the truth, so yeah, he’s joking around more with players – come
on, he’s a player. And he knows that for him to get back to his goal — I
think that’s everyone, every assistant wants to be a head coach — you
have to take steps to get back up there.

“So for me, I couldn’t even imagine it even getting better. I was just
shocked how smooth of a transition it was, not only for the coaching
staff but for the coaching staff relating to the players. I think it’s been
phenomenal.”

—The Athletic’s Bill Oram contributed to this report.

(Top Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)

 What did you think of this story?

MEH SOLID AWESOME

Sam Amick (/author/sam-amick/) is a Senior NBA Writer for The Athletic. He has covered
the Association for the last 14 years while at USA TODAY Sports, Sports Illustrated, AOL
FanHouse and The Sacramento Bee. Follow Sam on Twitter @sam_amick
(https://twitter.com/sam_amick)
(https://twitter.com/sam_amick).

15 COMMENTS

Add a comment...

Chris K. 7h ago

Great read. Love to hear what’s going on behind the scenes with the team and
coaching staff and how it is working out. Thank you, great article.

11

Sam B. 7h ago

Frank Vogel is a phenomenal head coach who had his career in Indy end be-
Frank Vogel is a phenomenal head coach who had his career in Indy end be-
cause Larry Bird was afraid of losing Paul George. I miss him so much, but I am
glad to see people recognizing his talent

Charles R. 4h ago

So explain Orlando then?

Joe L. 7h ago

Pacers have made three pretty dumb coaching decisions since the 200s.

1. Letting Carlisle go to Detroit and hiring Isiah Thomas

2. Firing Carlisle and hiring Jim O'Brien (which did give us Frank)
3. Firing Frank and promoting McMillan.

Will C. 6h ago

I've always seen Carlisle as overrated... Hes like most coaches, only does
well when he has great players..

Dennis G. 7h ago
I’m surprise this is the first time somebody’s talking about this. Usually with Le-
Bron his first year with the coach had a rough start. This seems to have taken
off without a ripple

Will C. 6h ago

If it's not drama, it's not news on Lakerland

Jeremy P. 6h ago

Great story - this is a first-class coaching staff without a doubt - great job by
Pelinka to assemble this staff..

Great job by Vogel as well to earn respect and see results early in the season..

Carlos Z. 6h ago

Vogel seemed to get a lot of flack because his teams in Indy, while successful,
played a style that felt dated by today's standards, even though that was only a
few short years ago. This gives some good insight into Vogel himself recogniz-
ing that and working to adapt.

Ronald P. 6h ago
This will be very interesting to see how this plays out. Many of the individuals
mentioned in this article have never met a mirror they didn’t like.

A K. 5h ago

I’ve been saying the difference in coaching last year to this one is me not con-
stantly screaming at the tv

Tim K. 5h ago

I’m probably not the only Laker fan who responded to the coaching hires this
summer with fear and apprehension. But, so far, the defense has been lights
out. Thanks for the article. Really demonstrates that Pelinka might be a decent
GM (I’m shocked).

Charles R. 4h ago

They don’t think he’s a great coach in Orlando. Gimme a break. Any team w 2
mvp candidates is going to look good.

Forrest B. 2h ago

The Lakers 3 best wins are... Mavs, Jazz, Suns? It's easy for things to be peachy
when the NBA gives you cupcakes. Let's see how their "family" does under
adversity

Rajpal B. 1h ago

Great piece and insight behind the scenes

READ MORE

(/1408844/2019/11/25/how-the-lakers-improved-their-spacing-during-their-latest-
win-streak/?article_source=related)

How the Lakers improved their spacing during

their latest win streak

(/1408844/2019/11/25/how-the-lakers-improved-their-spacing-during-their-latest-
The 2010s: The 10 moments that defined the
win-streak/?article_source=related)
Lakers’ decade

(/1402941/2019/11/25/the-2010s-top-10-moments-of-the-last-lakers-decade/?
article_source=related)
The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings Week 5: The
scouting reports are flowing
(/1395903/2019/11/25/the-athletics-nba-power-rankings-week-5-the-scouting-
reports-are-flowing/?article_source=related)
Hollinger’s Notebook: Mavs a shoo-in in crumbling
West race, sizing up the NBA schedule revamp, film
follies and more

(/1406918/2019/11/25/hollingers-notebook-mavs-a-shoo-in-in-crumbling-west-
race-sizing-up-the-nba-schedule-revamp-film-follies-and-more/?
article_source=related)
NBA Analytics Lookaround: Taking an offense
from good to great, LeBron’s free throws, Harden’s
usage and more

(/1405277/2019/11/25/nba-analytics-lookaround-taking-an-offense-from-good-to-
great-lebrons-free-throws-hardens-usage-and-more/?article_source=related)
With a little help from his ‘Friends,’ Daniel Gafford
opened up about his personal struggles

(/1407950/2019/11/25/with-a-little-help-from-his-friends-daniel-gafford-opened-up-
about-his-personal-struggles/?article_source=related)

National
NHL (/nhl/)
MLB (/mlb/)
NBA (/nba/)
NFL (/nfl/)
College Basketball (/college-basketball/)
College Football (/college-football/)
Fantasy Football (/fantasy-football/)
Fantasy Baseball (/fantasy-baseball/)
Mixed Martial Arts (/mma/)
Boxing (/boxing/)
Motorsports (/motorsports/)
Fantasy Basketball (/fantasy-basketball/)
Fantasy Hockey (/fantasy-hockey/)
Sports Business (/sports-business/)
Golf (/golf/)
MLS (/mls/)
Premier League (/premier-league/)
Champions League (/champions-league/)
Bundesliga (/bundesliga/)
International (/international-soccer/)
EFL (/efl/)
Scottish Premiership (/scottish-premiership/)
Fantasy Premier League (/fantasy-premier-league/)
UK Women's Football (/womens-football/)
NWSL (/nwsl/)
WNBA (/wnba/)
The Athletic Ink (/ink/)
Podcasts (/podcasts/)
Videos (/videos/)

US
Arizona (/arizona/)
Atlanta (/atlanta/)
Baltimore (/baltimore/)
Bay Area (/bayarea/)
Boston (/boston/)
Buffalo (/buffalo/)
Carolina (/carolina/)
Chicago (/chicago/)
Cincinnati (/cincinnati/)
Cleveland (/cleveland/)
Columbus (/columbus/)
Dallas (/dfw/)
Denver (/denver/)
Detroit (/detroit/)
Houston (/houston/)
Indiana (/indiana/)
Jacksonville (/jacksonville/)
Kansas City (/kc/)
Las Vegas (/vegas/)
Los Angeles (/losangeles/)
Memphis (/memphis/)
Miami (/miami/)
Minnesota (/mn/)
Nashville (/nashville/)
New Orleans (/neworleans/)
New York (/newyork/)
Oklahoma (/oklahoma/)
Oregon (/oregon/)
Orlando (/orlando/)
Philadelphia (/philly/)
Pittsburgh (/pittsburgh/)
Sacramento (/sacramento/)
San Antonio (/sanantonio/)
San Diego (/sandiego/)
Seattle (/seattle/)
St. Louis (/stlouis/)
Tampa Bay (/tampabay/)
Utah (/utah/)
Washington DC (/dc/)
Wisconsin (/wisconsin/)

Canada
Calgary (/calgary/)
Edmonton (/edmonton/)
Montreal (/montreal/)
Montréal (français) (/montreal-fr/)
Ottawa (/ottawa/)
Toronto (/toronto/)
Vancouver (/vancouver/)
Winnipeg (/winnipeg/)

Share
Buy a Gift (/checkout/?type=gift)
Share for $25 (/share/?source=footer)

HQ
Blog (/blog/?source=footer)
Careers (/careers/?source=footer)
Code of Conduct (/code-of-conduct/?source=footer)
Business Inquiries (/contact-us/?source=footer)
Press Inquiries (/press/?source=footer)

Support
FAQ (https://theathletic.zendesk.com/hc/en-us)
Forgot Password? (/forgot-password/?source=footer)
Redeem Gift (/redeem/?source=footer)
Email Us (mailto:support@theathletic.com)

(/)

©2019 The Athletic Media Company. All rights reserved.

Terms of Service (/tos-us/)

Privacy Policy (/privacy-us/)

Payment Terms (/payment-terms/)

support@theathletic.com (mailto:support@theathletic.com)

(https://twitter.com/TheAthleticNBA) (https://www.facebook.com/TheAthletic/)

(https://www.instagram.com/theathletichq/)

(https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-athletic/id1135216317?ls=1&mt=8)

(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theathletic)