Vogel is expected to lead a coaching staff that will also include Jason Kidd in an assistant roleNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The Lakers' hiring Frank Vogel as coach over the weekend is the franchise's "latest bewildering move," as an organization that "once enjoyed a Who’s Who of coaching talent has hired a Who’s That," according to Bill Plaschke of the L.A. TIMES. The team also brought on Jason Kidd as an assistant, and the two hires "seemed to epitomize the problems of the rudderless Lakers front office led by the seemingly overmatched" Controlling Owner & CEO Jeanie Buss. Exec Dir of Special Projects Linda Rambis has "long been a shadow owner who is exerting increasing influence," while Senior Basketball Advisor Kurt Rambis has "taken on a decisive role." Phil Jackson is "phoning in with ideas." Magic Johnson, who "said he was stepping away, has made up with Buss and is still giving advice" (L.A. TIMES, 5/12). ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst wrote Vogel's hiring establishes GM Rob Pelinka as a "powerful voice in the Lakers' organization." How long he will "keep that spot will perhaps be shaped by this choice" (ESPN.com, 5/11).
HIRING PROCESS: The Lakers signed Vogel to a three-year deal, making him the team's sixth coach in nine years and ending a 29-day search "amid an uncertain period for the franchise." During the coaching search, candidates "met with" Pelinka, Kurt and Linda Rambis, President of Business Operations Tim Harris, Jeanie Buss and her brothers Joey and Jesse. Joey Buss is CEO and VP/Research & Analytics of the G League South Bay Lakers, and Jesse Buss is Lakers Assistant GM & Dir of Scouting. Ultimately, though, Jeanie Buss, the Rambises and Pelinka "remained the primary decision-makers for the search" (L.A. TIMES, 5/12). ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said the "path that brought them" to Vogel was Kurt Rambis and Phil Jackson, as both were "involved in nearly hiring Vogel to New York before Jeff Hornacek was hired with the Knicks" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 5/12). FS1’s Skip Bayless: "Kurt Rambis is now running the Lakers. ... He is the new Magic Johnson" (“Undisputed,” FS1, 5/13).
HERE FOR NOW: THE ATHLETIC's Bill Oram wrote the Lakers "landed on their third choice" in Vogel, after "alienating Monty Williams and insulting Tyronn Lue." Vogel "made strong impressions" on both Pelinka and Kurt Rambis. The "biggest question facing Vogel is how quickly he can forge a relationship" with LeBron James. Rather than "hiring an organizational cornerstone, the front office made a hire that gets them through the LeBron era." The image Vogel projects is "one of competence." He is "not a splashy hire, but nor is he likely to be a controversial one" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/11). There are "legitimate questions" about whether James "will respect and follow a coach who has no rings, no Finals appearances and could never figure him out" (L.A. TIMES, 5/12).
KIDD GLOVES: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said Kidd is "in line to be the next head coach," as he is the "coach they wanted all along." But for now, Vogel is the "safe pick" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 5/12). ESPN’s Mike Golic: "They didn't want to hire Jason Kidd because of how it would look with his past so they’re trying to hide him as an assistant to make him the head coach in the future.” ESPN’s Mike Golic Jr.: “Who’s the easiest guy to sell to a fanbase? The backup quarterback and the assistant coach” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 5/13). FS1’s Cris Carter said the Lakers coaching position “wasn’t a coveted job,” and that is "embarrassing." Carter: "This is one of the stellar franchises with one of the greatest players we’ve ever had (and) nobody wanted this job" (“First Things First,” FS1, 5/13). ESPN’s Jalen Rose said Vogel is a "really good coach," but the "optics on this look unusual based on how it was done" (“NBA Countdown,” ABC, 5/12).
