The Lakers’ interest in Snyder as a successor to Frank Vogel is serious, sources say. There is nonetheless ongoing skepticism in coaching circles that Snyder would want to move from Utah — where he has enjoyed a considerable amount of control and influence — to take over the LeBron James-led Lakers in their current state after the never-ending chaos that engulfed Vogel’s last two seasons. Vogel, remember, wasn’t allowed to choose any of his primary assistant coaches and had to take constant input from Lakers front office adviser Kurt Rambis.
Tag: Frank Vogel
Michael Scotto: In terms of what …
Michael Scotto: In terms of what Pelinka did with Vogel, I asked some executives around the league what they thought. Their assessment was that it was clear Vogel was the scapegoat. One executive said, “Frank was definitely the scapegoat. One more year for that front office, and if the results don’t drastically improve, they could be in line for some more changes.” Another executive said, “Vogel was the scapegoat. There’s no question. I don’t think they treated him very well on the way out. I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s very well respected in the coaching community. He’ll be able to pick his spot as a high-level assistant if that’s something he wants to do.”
Kenny Smith thinks Mark Jackson can coach Lakers to title
LeBron James is gonna be happy to hear this … Kenny “The Jet” Smith says he loves the idea of Mark Jackson becoming the Los Angeles Lakers’ next head … telling TMZ Sports he can lead the team to a championship. The Lake Show just fired Frank Vogel after a horrendous 2021 season … and there are reports the 4-time NBA champ favors the former Golden State Warriors head coach to take the reins.
We spoke with The Jet about the vacancy …
We spoke with The Jet about the vacancy … and he thinks landing Jackson would add trophies to the Lakers’ already-stuffed case. “Mark Jackson, he knows how to handle that kind of environment,” Smith said at LAX this week … pointing out the success he had with the Dubs before he was fired in 2014.
Kenny Smith thinks Mark Jackson can coach Lakers to title
LeBron James is gonna be happy to hear this … Kenny “The Jet” Smith says he loves the idea of Mark Jackson becoming the Los Angeles Lakers’ next head … telling TMZ Sports he can lead the team to a championship. The Lake Show just fired Frank Vogel …
LeBron James is gonna be happy to hear this … Kenny “The Jet” Smith says he loves the idea of Mark Jackson becoming the Los Angeles Lakers’ next head … telling TMZ Sports he can lead the team to a championship. The Lake Show just fired Frank Vogel after a horrendous 2021 season … and there are reports the 4-time NBA champ favors the former Golden State Warriors head coach to take the reins.
Source: TMZ Staff @ TMZ.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Brad Botkin @bradbotkincbs
Mark Jackson even being in the building guarantees at least a few Gallo isos – 9:57 PM
Mark Jackson even being in the building guarantees at least a few Gallo isos – 9:57 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
The Cavs best bet might be if Mark Jackson went from the broadcast booth to the bench and took over — because what they have has just been taken apart by Trae Young with no change in style. – 9:51 PM
The Cavs best bet might be if Mark Jackson went from the broadcast booth to the bench and took over — because what they have has just been taken apart by Trae Young with no change in style. – 9:51 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Mark Jackson is the only coach I’ve ever encountered that has stans. It’s the weirdest thing. I’ve criticized plenty of coaches without a peep.
When I bring up the mountains and mountains of evidence that Mark Jackson should not be an NBA head coach, my DMs blow up. – 9:09 PM
Mark Jackson is the only coach I’ve ever encountered that has stans. It’s the weirdest thing. I’ve criticized plenty of coaches without a peep.
When I bring up the mountains and mountains of evidence that Mark Jackson should not be an NBA head coach, my DMs blow up. – 9:09 PM
Dave Mason @DeuceMason
This is a good conversation between Steph and Draymond about Mark Jackson at the 20:14 mark:
youtu.be/7f5vUyoKpow – 1:16 PM
This is a good conversation between Steph and Draymond about Mark Jackson at the 20:14 mark:
youtu.be/7f5vUyoKpow – 1:16 PM
Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
Is that Mark Jackson scoffing at unwritten rules? Interesting. youtube.com/watch?v=sc0POK… – 9:36 PM
Is that Mark Jackson scoffing at unwritten rules? Interesting. youtube.com/watch?v=sc0POK… – 9:36 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
For the sickos who like to watch, Wednesday’s @LockedOnLakers pod, YouTube version! We discuss LeBron’s reported interest in hiring Mark Jackson (who’s tricky to evaluate), and how Rob Pelinka needs to work smarter. @LockedOnNBAPods @LockedOnNetwork
youtube.com/watch?v=NVFqva… – 3:43 PM
For the sickos who like to watch, Wednesday’s @LockedOnLakers pod, YouTube version! We discuss LeBron’s reported interest in hiring Mark Jackson (who’s tricky to evaluate), and how Rob Pelinka needs to work smarter. @LockedOnNBAPods @LockedOnNetwork
youtube.com/watch?v=NVFqva… – 3:43 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Wednesday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! We discuss the need for smarter roster construction, and LeBron’s reported interest in Mark Jackson. Could he actually work for the Lakers? #FirstListen @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
Subscribe. Rate. Enjoy. Thx!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leb… – 12:18 PM
Wednesday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! We discuss the need for smarter roster construction, and LeBron’s reported interest in Mark Jackson. Could he actually work for the Lakers? #FirstListen @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
Subscribe. Rate. Enjoy. Thx!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leb… – 12:18 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
An inside look at LeBron James and his future with the Lakers, at @TheAthletic
* Factors in play for his possible extension
* Why the B-Ball ops infrastructure matters
* A look at the coaching search and why Mark Jackson should get a serious look
theathletic.com/3244418/2022/0… – 11:16 AM
An inside look at LeBron James and his future with the Lakers, at @TheAthletic
* Factors in play for his possible extension
* Why the B-Ball ops infrastructure matters
* A look at the coaching search and why Mark Jackson should get a serious look
theathletic.com/3244418/2022/0… – 11:16 AM
Ethan Strauss @SherwoodStrauss
Talked Mark Jackson and other topics with @sportsrapport. Check it out: callin.com/link/lGLjCLdcgx – 10:41 AM
Talked Mark Jackson and other topics with @sportsrapport. Check it out: callin.com/link/lGLjCLdcgx – 10:41 AM
More on this storyline
We spoke with The Jet about the vacancy … and he thinks landing Jackson would add trophies to the Lakers’ already-stuffed case. “Mark Jackson, he knows how to handle that kind of environment,” Smith said at LAX this week … pointing out the success he had with the Dubs before he was fired in 2014. -via TMZ.com / April 16, 2022
Shaquille O’Neal blasts Lakers over how they fired Frank Vogel
Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal dislikes how his old team handled the firing of Frank Vogel, and he had some choice words about it.
Perhaps the Los Angeles Lakers were right to fire head coach Frank Vogel earlier this week. Perhaps they weren’t.
But the way they fired him – by apparently leaking news of his dismissal just after their final regular season game and a full day before they informed Vogel – was wrong, and many around the NBA agree.
One of the people who disliked the Lakers’ handling of Vogel’s exit is team legend Shaquille O’Neal.
On his podcast, “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” he not only criticized his former team, but he even had a message for any other coaches who are thinking about joining the Purple and Gold.
Via Lakers Daily:
“‘Yeah, he was done dirty ’cause that’s how I heard I was getting traded,’ said O’Neal before explaining how he felt disrespected by the Lakers during his playing days.
“O’Neal later went on to implore other coaches to not ‘waste your time’ with the Lakers. The legendary big man also said that if he were Vogel, he would’ve quit before officially getting fired by the franchise.”
There are several candidates for the job according to league insiders, including Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder, the Philadelphia 76ers’ Doc Rivers and former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson, whom LeBron James would reportedly be “enthused” about.
But the way L.A. leaked the news about Vogel’s firing before telling him face-to-face has seemingly left a bad taste in the mouths of people around the league, including Snyder, whose interest in coming to the Lakers is reportedly lower as a result.
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From undrafted to role player, Sooner to Lakers guard Austin Reaves closes out rookie season on a high note
After going undrafted, former Sooner Austin Reaves made a name for himself playing for the prestigious Lakers franchise as a rookie.
[autotag]Austin Reaves[/autotag]’ college basketball journey started at Wichita State in 2016 before he transferred out and forever became a member of the Oklahoma Sooners family. He sat out a year before being able to play because the transfer portal had not been created in 2018.
His Oklahoma career saw him average 16.3 points per game in two years for the Sooners and he started all 56 games during his tenure. He chipped in 4 assists and 5 boards a game as well. He made plays against tough teams and future pros.
After his redshirt senior year in Norman, Reaves waded into the NBA waters with no guarantee he’d be drafted. That’s exactly what would happen too. Reaves went undrafted and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way contract. In the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League, Reaves played well averaging 6.6 points, and 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steal in 22.2 minutes.
Reaves’ summer league performance earned him a two-year contract. One with partial guarantees for year one and a team option in year two.
The former Sooners guard made his NBA debut on October 22, 2021 for a Lakers team in need of a spark and considerable help in the backcourt. The Lakers were dealing with injuries and unproductive rotation players for a struggling Lakers team expected to contend for the Western Conference, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
He’d post 8 points in his debut against the the Pheonix Suns. In December, after getting comfortable with his role at the NBA level, Reaves began to stand out.
Reaves dropped 15 points, on 5-of-6 shooting from three, grabbed 7 rebounds, and hit a game-winning 3-pointer in a 107–104 victory over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
Former OU Sooner and current LA Lakers Austin Reaves hits the game winning 3 point shot to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-104. Russell Westbrook made the winning assist to Reaves. pic.twitter.com/jhFzQ4EdgR
— OKC CBS Sports 105.3FM (@OKCCBSSPORTS105) December 16, 2021
For the remainder of the season, Reaves battled inconsistent minutes despite his steadying presence for a Lakers team that was broken mentally and physically. Los Angeles suffered a number of injuries to star players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis in addition to Kendrick Nunn who projected to start for the Lakeshow.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel seemed to trust Reaves at times and other times it was as if Reaves never existed. As it became more apparent the Lakers were going to be unable to wheel and deal for outside help to right the ship, an uptick in Reaves minutes saw positive results.
Despite the Lakers’ inability to make the playoffs with their plethora of future hall of famers, Reaves cemented himself in the final game of his rookie season. The former Sooners guard exploded for a triple-double against the Denver Nuggets. He put up a career-high 31 points, along with 16 rebounds and 10 assists, in a 146–141 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets.
That was the first time in NBA history an undrafted rookie dropped a 30-point triple-double and only the second player ever to record a triple-double in their rookie season after going undrafted.
In the season finale, Austin Reaves became just the 2nd undrafted rookie in NBA history to drop a triple-double. pic.twitter.com/umlLFyYk5f
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 12, 2022
He also joined an elite Lakers list of Lonzo Ball, Elgin Baylor (NBA Hall of Famer), Jerry West (Hall of Famer and the man the NBA Logo is modeled after), Magic Johnson (widely considered one of the 10 best players ever and Hall of Famer) as the only Lakers players ever to post triple-doubles as rookies.
With that win, the Lakers season ended and Reaves spoke to Lakers media about his rookie year.
Austin Reaves on what he'll remember from his rookie year: "I got to play with six Hall of Famers at one point."
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 11, 2022
It’s an accomplishment to play with one hall of fame player in an NBA career, but six at one point is incredibly insane and was a massive opportunity for Reaves. The ability to learn from their ability and their talent could prove invaluable as he heads into his first full offseason with the Lakers.
For Reaves, his future seems a lot more secure and straightforward than it was at this point last year. He’s on an NBA team and he’ll be returning next year as a great rotational piece for whoever the Lakers hire to replace one-time NBA championship-winning coach Frank Vogel.
For Reaves, that means a fresh start and a fresh opportunity to prove himself as he’s done so many times before. From his leap of faith from Wichita State to Oklahoma and his success in the Crimson & Cream to posting 30 point triple-doubles like his teammates LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have done so frequently, Reaves has made a name for himself. Now he has a perfect opportunity to build on that and become an even bigger and more integral part of what will be a new-look Lakers team next year.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
Did Frank Vogel deserve to be fired by the Lakers?
Some may argue that the Lakers shouldn’t have fired head coach Frank Vogel, or that they should’ve at least thought it over.
The 2022 offseason has started for the Los Angeles Lakers with the firing of head coach Frank Vogel after three years of service to the team.
It was a move that had been rumored to be imminent since at least January, and now it has been made official.
This has been the most disappointing season in team history, with problems all over, including but not limited to key injuries, the team’s problems with star guard Russell Westbrook and poor roster construction.
At times, Vogel seemed to be caught in the eye of the hurricane, and he looked somewhat in over his head.
It seems like it is standard fare in the NBA for a team to fire its head coach when it has a hugely bad or disappointing season. It may not be fair or even the right thing to do, but it’s simply how teams operate.
Did Vogel actually deserve to get a pink slip, or was his firing simply part of a purge that was needed after such a disgusting year?
The Lakers didn’t handle Frank Vogel’s firing right
There was something about the way the Lakers fired head coach Frank Vogel that was just very wrong and looked bad.
On the first day of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2022 offseason, they made a move that just about everyone could’ve called with Braille, to borrow a phrase from Chick Hearn, the team’s late great play-by-play man.
Head coach Frank Vogel was dismissed after three seasons with the team.
Vogel being fired was something that had been rumored for months, especially once it became clear that the Lakers would not be contending for a title, and that the season would be nothing more than a test of survival.
The news was first leaked on Sunday night at the conclusion of the Lakers’ final game versus the Denver Nuggets, a thrilling come-from-behind win in overtime.
Many instantly bemoaned the fact that Vogel’s firing had been leaked to the media before the team had a chance to inform him in person.
It is not clear who in the Lakers’ organization leaked the news, but whoever did it made a poor decision, in more than one way.
The team owed it to Vogel, who is a fine coach and a positive, classy human being, to tell him face-to-face that he was being dismissed, rather than have him hear it from the media.
After the Nuggets game, a reporter told him about the leak, and Vogel said he hadn’t heard anything yet, then added that he would focus on the team’s victory and what his players did in earning it.
Amidst all the problems the team had this season, it’s easy to forget that he coached it to the NBA championship just 18 months ago.
The Lakers have historically prided themselves on being a class organization that kept things close to the vest and was respectful to everyone who helped them succeed, from their biggest superstar to even its working-poor employees.
The way they handled Vogel’s firing was a departure from that method of operation.
Even if he were some lowly, newbie coach, they still owed it to him to not be passive-aggressive about his dismissal.
If nothing else, it makes the organization look bad, and perhaps some may almost feel that someone there perhaps wanted to disrespect Vogel.
In all, it appears that L.A. general manager Rob Pelinka and crew will take their time in finding a replacement for Vogel.
Via ESPN:
“Pelinka doesn’t plan to replace Vogel immediately, and he said he hasn’t even assembled a list of potential candidates. The GM said it ‘would be great’ to have a coach in place before the draft in June, but that the Lakers’ search will be ‘thorough and methodical.””
Finding a replacement for Vogel will be the first domino to fall in what will be the team’s most important offseason in recent memory.
later…great coach, even better person.