Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Featured > Frank Vogel: Lakers Had ‘Identity Win’ Against Rockets
FeaturedLakers News

Frank Vogel: Lakers Had ‘Identity Win’ Against Rockets

Corey Hansford
Published: 01/11/2021
4 Min Read
Nina Hsieh, Jason Kidd, Frank Vogel
Cato Cataldo-NBAE
SHARE

From his time as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, Frank Vogel has earned his reputation as being defensive-minded. He brought that over to the Los Angeles Lakers and armed with arguably the best defensive piece in the league in Anthony Davis, made them a top-5 defensive team on their way to winning the 2020 NBA championship.

The Lakers planned to carry that identity into this season season despite roster changes, but the results had been mixed thus far. With Davis coming down on himself and the rest of the team’s defensive effort, the Lakers responded with their best performance of the young season against the Houston Rockets.

The team forced 21 turnovers while also coming away with 13 steals and eight blocks in their 18-point victory, and Vogel believes the win was one to establish what the Lakers are all about.

“This game, as much as any throughout the year, was a Laker basketball type of win,” Vogel said. “Flying around defensively, getting stops without fouls, either forcing turnovers or forcing misses, and then flying on the break. It was sort of an identity win.”

He has preached patience since becoming head coach of the Lakers, and reiterated that while acknowledging there are games when the offense is leading the charge.

“It’s a balancing act. Some nights the offense is going to be there, some nights the defense,” Vogel said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in this team on the defensive end. We’ve had some nights where we were a step slow to certain things and still learning some coverages and whatnot. I think we’re going to be good there.

“We’ve just got to be a team that buys into being a team-first team offensively and continuing to trust the pass.”

Regardless of how good a team is offensively, it is very difficult to win when you are unable to get consistent stops on defense. For the Lakers, who are at their best when able to get out in transition, locking in on defense is that much more important as turnovers lead to easy points.

Davis is the spearhead of the Lakers’ defensive attack, but they have all of the pieces to be one of the top teams in the league. That in turn leads to them being able to dominate on offense and very few teams are able to keep up with the Lakers when that happens.

LeBron says Lakers goal is to be NBA’s top defensive team

If the Lakers are able to do exactly that with more dominant defensive performances, they will be able to accomplish their regular season go as LeBron James laid out.

LeBron said the Lakers want to be the best defensive team in the NBA. It’s a standing they aren’t too far off from. The Lakers currently rank sixth in defensive rating, after finishing third last season.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Frank VogelLos Angeles Lakers
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?