The Los Angeles Lakers sacked head coach Frank Vogel on Monday, saying a change of leadership was needed after the club’s shock failure to reach the playoffs.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka confirmed Vogel’s dismissal in a statement, a day after the club’s miserable campaign drew to a close.
“This is an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one we feel is necessary at this point,” Pelinka said.
Speculation over Vogel’s future intensified after the Lakers’ final regular season game on Sunday, with ESPN reporting that the coach – who led the franchise to a 17th NBA championship in 2020 – would be fired.
Talking to reporters later Monday, Pelinka said the Lakers’ season had been “disappointing at every level.”
“When you have disappointment you need to take ownership of that and make adjustments to be better,” Pelinka said.
“Today’s not going to be a day of finger-pointing or unwinding all the specific reasons, we just felt organizationally, that it was time for a new voice.”
The sacking came as Lakers players addressed the media in end-of-season interviews.
Lakers superstar LeBron James said before the dismissal was confirmed he had “nothing but respect” for Vogel.
“I respect Frank as a coach, as a man,” James said earlier Monday.
“The partnership that we’ve had over the past few years has been nothing but just candid, great conversations.
“He’s a guy who gives everything to the game. Prepared us every single night with his coaching staff.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’ve got nothing but respect for him.”
Vogel bristled when asked about his reported dismissal immediately after the Lakers’ 146-141 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
“I haven’t been told shit and I’m going to enjoy tonight’s game, celebrate what these young guys did in terms of scratching and clawing and getting back in this game and getting a W, and we’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow,” Vogel told reporters. The Lakers finished the 2021-2022 campaign in 11th place in the Western Conference, missing out on the postseason with a dismal record of 33 wins and 49 losses.
