NBA coaching hires usually fit into two categories of power profile: strong or weak.
There are generally two kinds of general managers in the league: those who make decisions aimed at keeping their jobs and those who are determined to do thing their way even with the risk of failure.
Los Angeles Lakers general manager, Rob Pelinka made it clear which type of executive he want to be in hiring coach Frank Vogel, he also made it clear as to where he falls on the coaching power spectrum.
Pelinka got Vogel to take a three-year deal, and Vogel agreed to take on Jason Kidd as lead assistant coach. In the wake of Magic Johnson’s exit from the team, this move made by Pelinka established him as a powerful voice in the Lakers’ organization. How long he’ll keep the spot will perhaps be shaped by this choice. Vogel wanted the Lakers’ job more than he wanted the power. Ty Lue rejected Pelinka’s terms earlier this week because he valued control over the job.
There are big names, a big job, and a legacy franchise involved. This result could go any direction. It could be the basis of a turnaround. It could be a disaster. Lue’s passing on the job could end up being prudent or being a mistake.
Let’s get four things out of the way:
- Anyone who erroneously believed LeBron James was influencing the coach hire can not
- Pelinka’s process has put Vogel in a challenging position
- Vogel has excelled in a challenging positions before
- Until the NBA draft plays out, and then see what the Lakers do with their $35 million in salary-cap space, it’s hard to know how strongly the Lakers will enter next season
The coaching hire was a huge step for Pelinka and the Lakers. No matter how it might be spun, Vogel was at least the third choice. But reconstructing the roster around James is far from Pelinka’s bigger job this offseason. James can work with a variety of coaches. What he really wants, is to have a winning team constructed.
The process didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Vogel has allies in the league, but he is not a classic free-agent draw. For Pelinka to give Vogel any chance, he’s going to need some luck and a much more executable plan for free agency than he had for the head coaching job.
The history of coaches with powerful assistants succeeding is spotty. This is similar to the position in which the Cleveland Cavaliers put David Blatt in 2014.
The Cavs made Blatt take Lue as his lead assistant. Lue had interview for the Cav’s job. The team liked him and wanted to pair the two together. There were some other dynamics also at play, including ownership and the front office disagreeing on the hire.
James’ didn’t have the respect for Blatt when he walked in. James felt more of a connection to the former player who sat next to Blatt. Within weeks, it was clear James preferred to deal with ue over Blatt. That set the stage for Lue to eventually replace Blatt.
Vogel has a track record as a head coach in the NBA. Especially his five seasons as head coach of the Indiana Pacers. James and his Miami Heat team repeatedly beat Indiana in the playoffs. Although Vogel and the Pacers played tough against James and heat, Miami never feared them. In Orlando, Vogel had a disappointing and forgettable two years and was fired.
Vogel and Kidd will come into the season together. James has long respected Kidd, and they won a gold medal together at the 2008 Olympics. Kidd was a veteran presence on the “Redeem Team”, that experience largely shaped James as he was learning to be a leader. The following season, James won his first Most Valuable Player Award.
Nevertheless, James respect for Vogel will not match the level of respect he has for Kidd, at least not right now. James will naturally be connected to Kidd because of their relationship and Kidd’s success in the league, both playing and coaching.
Vogel has been here before. He was in as weak of a position as any coach when he was named midseason interim in Indiana during the 2011 season. Few believed Vogel was more than a substitute teacher put in to get them through the season.
He took over for Jim O’Brien and stunned the league with his confidence and leadership ability. He was able to corral and inspire a headstrong group of players that included David West, Paul George, Roy Hibbert, and George Hill. When the Pacers let him go, he was hired by the Magic within days.
There is no doubt that Vogel can impress in an interview. He is one of the refugees of the video room, where great coaches such as Erik Spoelstra and Mike Budenholzer started their careers. That has earned him a reputation for being a good tactician.
But being a success in this job would probably be the greatest accomplishment.
Overdrive 