When Frank Vogel's Lakers made their coach, the reaction to the news was lukewarm.
From the point of view of public relations, his term of office had a rocky start.
But as soon as basketball started, the worries began to disappear.
On Monday, Vogel was named the Western Conference coach of the month for his combined performance in October and November. It was the first time since Mike D & Antoni in 2013 that a Lakers coach deserved the honor, and it required an extraordinary performance. The Lakers went 17-2 in that series and matched the franchise's best record through 19 games.
Perhaps more critically, Vogel earned the support of his star players.
"Yessir coach Frank de Tank," LeBron James published on Twitter after the NBA announced the award.
James' relationship with his coaches has been the subject of discussion throughout his career. When the Lakers signed James, who was in the same design class as the then Lakers coach Luke Walton, their relationship was a concern. The Lakers struggled in Walton's final year and there were reports that James's camp wanted him out.
After the Lakers said goodbye to Walton, they conducted an elongated search for his replacement.
Vogel was not part of their first interview round and the negotiations had fallen apart with the two coaches who are generally considered finalists – Tyronn Lue and Monty Williams. Some wondered how Vogel and James would interact with each other, especially given his close relationship with Lue. Others suspected that the presence of assistant coach Jason Kidd would be dangerous for Vogel.
Even Vogel's introductory news conference was hijacked because it was the first time since Magic Johnson stepped down that a member of the Lakers front office had addressed the state of the franchise.
James remained low throughout the process. But as the season opener approached and the Lakers played the Clippers, who had hired Lue as part of Doc Rivers & Staff, James was asked about the one-off possibility that Lue would be his coach again.
"At the end of the day for Jeanie and Rob and everyone upstairs, I only supported the movements they made," said James, referring to owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka. “There was a time when it was possible that it would happen, I was very enthusiastic about it. I was enthusiastic because I know what T-Lue is capable of and what we have achieved in Cleveland. When it did not happen, we went further and went to Coach Vogel and I was enthusiastic about what I am still. "
James often praises Vogel without being asked. When asked about limiting his minutes, he started: "I love coach and what the coaching staff does, I think he does what is best for the team, and of course I respect that."
When asked about his high number of steals, he named Mike Brown, Erik Spoelstra, Lue and Vogel as the defensive coaches who put him in positions to grab them. When asked about his assistants, James made sure that he vowed Vogel and his staff for starting him at the guard.
Vogel & # 39; s focus on defense is also something that other players appreciate.
"If you have a defensive coach, it helps," said Danny Green. "And if you have guys who are defensive players, it helps enormously."
His players have bought what Vogel does. But Vogel understands one thing: winning games often go hand in hand with chemistry between the players and the coaching staff.
"The buy-in for every coaching situation is always important," said Vogel. “And if you win early, it will come faster. Hopefully we get off to a good start in that regard. "
He said that in the second week of November, and the Lakers only lost two games since he said so. November was populated with teams with record losses. What the Lakers are waiting for in December is different, starting with a loss for Dallas and then a Denver team with the second best record in the West.
NEXT ONE
AT DENVER
When: 6 pm, Tuesday
On air: TV: Spectrum SportsNet; Radio: 710, 1330
Updating: The two teams with the best records in the Western Conference come after losing in this match. For the Nuggets, it was a three-point loss for the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
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