The Los Angeles Lakers finally filled their head coaching vacancy on Saturday afternoon, hiring former Pacers and Magic head coach Frank Vogel. The Lakers also hired former Nets and Bucks head coach Jason Kidd to be one of Vogel’s assistants, which may give Kidd a future path to the head coaching gig if Vogel struggles at the helm. According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Kidd’s ugly public history prohibited the Lakers from hiring him as a head coach outright, but his presence on the bench would also serve as justification for a potential coaching takeover: My thoughts on Jason Kidd and the Lakers: pic.twitter.com/ef15bbsXQO — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 12, 2019 Jason Kidd was garnering interest to become the head coach at his alma mater, the University of California, but had made it fairly clear that he had a more concerted interest in returning to NBA coaching circles. Frank Vogel, meanwhile, established himself as a head coaching commodity during his tenure with the Pacers, leading Indiana to the playoffs in four of his five seasons while heading up one of the best defenses in the league on an annual basis. Still, the head coaching gig with the Lakers has become a rather unenviable position ever since Phil Jackson retired following the 2010-11 season. From Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni to Byron Scott and Luke Walton, the position has seen a number of failures in recent years. Of course, Vogel can only do so much with the current roster, and the onus should be on management to make significant roster upgrades this summer. A poor start to the year would still likely result in Kidd taking over as the Lakers’ head coach.<doc-sep>After Ty Lue had talked about Frank Vogel being an assistant on his staff, Vogel is poised to take the head job of the Los Angeles Lakers while Kidd lingers in the background. Vogel has an above-.500 record despite the fact that he and his Orlando teams were terribly constructed and suffered even worse results. Vogel’s Indiana Pacers pushed LeBron and his Miami Heat to a 7th came in 2013, with the Lakers holding on late. But the Lakers front office appears to have several strategies in play. Jason Kidd will likely be a part of Frank Vogel’s staff, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Jason Kidd has agreed to join Vogel's Lakers staff in a prominent assistant coaching role, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/ZrQRWfq1US — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 11, 2019 The Lakers have set their path. But they did so without truly consulting their best player. Although LeBron understands Vogel’s expertise, his trust with Lue is something that is impossible to measure. Vogel’s Pacers team with Lance Stephenson, Roy Hibbert, Paul George and David West stood tall against those measures. The Lakers might have a new leader, but it appears the same things rule the day.<doc-sep>The Los Angeles Lakers have reached a deal with former Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel to make him the team’s new head coach, according to multiple reports Saturday evening, including from USA TODAY Sports. Additionally, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Vogel’s deal is for three years, and Jason Kidd will be part of the staff in a prominent assistant coaching role. This comes just days after talks between the Lakers and former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Ty Lue fell through with him passing on a three-year, $18 million deal, which included the team wanting Kidd on the staff, according to Wojnarowski. When news about Vogel and Kidd broke, NBA fans had a variety of reactions, ranging from baffled to angry to assuming this means LeBron James is just going to unofficially take control of the team at some point. Fans also, of course, had jokes about the Lakers hiring a coach whose record in his two seasons with the Orlando Magic was 54-110, combined, and who could end up clashing with Kidd. Vogel’s Pacers also lost in back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals to LeBron and the Miami Heat in 2013 and 2014. So we rounded up the 15 best GIF/meme reactions to the latest news from the Lakers. "Frank Vogel, Frank Ocean, Frank Gore, don't matter, this my team" pic.twitter.com/wYAghaNNrN — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2019 *at some point in the not too distant future* Frank Vogel: … Jason Kidd: pic.twitter.com/KdCilTdC2K — Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) May 11, 2019 “What you gonna do now that Frank Vogel is the Lakers head coach?” LeBron: pic.twitter.com/lJhSPiviul — Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 11, 2019 Someone got to Frank Vogel’s Wikipedia page quickly pic.twitter.com/XVUendbNVh — Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) May 11, 2019 The 2 types of reactions Lakers fans are having after hiring Frank Vogel pic.twitter.com/RpKoQNDjhi — Raynday (@RayndayGaming) May 11, 2019 *The Lakers hire Frank Vogel Lakers fans: pic.twitter.com/kwcmQWPkR4 — Reese Waters (@reesewaters) May 11, 2019 *Lakers hire Frank Vogel as head coach* Lakers Nation: pic.twitter.com/2uFYq7W4Gd — 89 (@shanuddin889) May 11, 2019 Frank Vogel and Jason Kidd walking into the Lakers locker room pic.twitter.com/22RjvRcGop — sreekar (@sreekyshooter) May 11, 2019 Jason Kidd during Frank Vogel’s entire tenure pic.twitter.com/QJ61pnhNZ3 — CJ Fogler (@cjzero) May 11, 2019 Frank Vogel’s not terrible though so I guess pic.twitter.com/UMXJQmgu00 — negro sunshine (@intrepid_heroin) May 11, 2019 *Frank Vogel will be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers with Jason Kidd serving as an assistant* LeBron James: pic.twitter.com/dtjnVngyEE — Tylt Sports (@tyltsports) May 11, 2019 lebron when frank vogel tries to coach: pic.twitter.com/P0SnjAaIfq — 🐐brook (@russwestdagoat) May 11, 2019 Frank Vogel to the Lakers pic.twitter.com/gktOZFhP9V — Mark (@MarkLawson_1) May 11, 2019 In less than 3 years… J Kidd will be the head coach of the Lakers pic.twitter.com/uTjD7ASmcs — Josh Chase (@Hoops_School101) May 11, 2019 Jason Kidd walking into his Lakers interview pic.twitter.com/PPLsOB11C4 — sreekar (@sreekyshooter) May 8, 2019<doc-sep>Vogel is known mainly as a defensive coach. The Pacers led the league in defensive efficiency twice and were in the top 10 during his five-plus seasons. The Lakers were tied for 13th in defensive efficiency last season. An official announcement of his hiring might not come until Monday, which would mark the start of a busy week for the Lakers. They will take part in the draft lottery on Tuesday and also will be at the draft combine.<doc-sep>
Former Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd will be on Frank Vogel’s staff with the Los Angeles Lakers in a “prominent assistant role,” according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Jason Kidd has agreed to join Vogel's Lakers staff in a prominent assistant coaching role, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/ZrQRWfq1US — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 11, 2019 Vogel agreed to a three-year contract to become the Lakers’ new head coach on Saturday. His most recent job was with the Orlando Magic, who he guided to a 54-110 win-loss record over two seasons before being dismissed last spring. The 45-year-old is best known for his time with the Indiana Pacers at the top of the decade. He led Indiana to playoff appearances in five of his six seasons with the team, including back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals berths in 2013 and 2014 – a pair of hard-fought series both won by LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Kidd’s inclusion on Vogel’s staff comes as no surprise given the team’s obvious interest in him since former coach Luke Walton was fired in April. Los Angeles reportedly had a tentative deal in place with former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue last week, but it fell through in part due to management’s insistence that Kidd serve as his top assistant. Kidd, inducted to the Hall of Fame as a player last year, has previous experience as a head coach with the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. After retiring in 2014, he was immediately hired as Brooklyn’s coach despite not having any prior experience on the sidelines. Kidd moved onto Milwaukee after just one season with the Nets, helping the Bucks to the playoffs in his first three seasons before being fired in January of last year.