The best part about watching the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs is the approach that head coach Frank Vogel takes into each game. Seeing an opponent anywhere from four to seven games brings out all of the tricks and trades. As one series ends, you work to find out what game-plans will translate.
The Lakers still await their second-round matchup, but questions about a potential series against the Houston Rockets are abound. Mike D’Antoni is infamous for his unorthodox style that he has his Rockets play, employing guards and forwards as opposed to traditional bigs in the starting five. The Lakers are the polar opposite with lots of size and length on the floor at all time. Sticking to this style yielded them some great success to consider going forward. To keep up with the Rockets’ frantic pace, it seems that the mindset of the coaching staff is shifting in the right direction to match their energy.
Coach Vogel was asked by the media about how he will construct lineups to match the Rockets on Monday (h/t Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen and Roll):
Would the Lakers go small against the Rockets from the start in this upcoming series (should Houston advance)?
Vogel wasn't asked specifically about that, but his answer on lineup changes in the playoffs in conjunction with going small in their bubble game may be illuminating: pic.twitter.com/grRdYFv8Ss
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) August 31, 2020
Coach Vogel could not be more correct. Playoff basketball is winning time and being married to one style can be a disaster. Before these decisions can be solidified though, there’s a lot of basketball left to be practiced and played.
