Vogel introduction caught up in ongoing Lakers drama

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Vogel introduction caught up in ongoing Lakers drama

2019-05-21 05:26 Last Updated At：05:30

Frank Vogel's goal to build "organizational togetherness" within the Los Angeles Lakers met the reality of the team's current dysfunction Monday.

Vogel's introduction as the Lakers' latest coach was almost overshadowed by comments made earlier by Magic Johnson. The former Lakers great appeared on ESPN's "First Take" and said general manager Rob Pelinka was largely responsible for his resignation as president of basketball operations and that Pelinka was talking behind his back, putting the GM in the position of using the Vogel news conference to respond.

Pelinka said he has talked to Johnson several times since his resignation on April 9 and said Johnson's comments surprised him. Pelinka said the last time the two had talked was over the weekend.

"It's saddening and disheartening to think he believes things are a misperception," Pelinka said. "I think all of us in life probably have been through things where maybe there's third party whispers or 'he said, she said' things that aren't true."

Vogel, who replaced Luke Walton, said the news conference took on a different tone than he imagined at the start of the day.

"It was definitely different than I expected and different than I've ever been a part of," he said. "But I understand the line of questioning in light of the events of this morning. So you just roll with the punches."

LeBron James watched the news conference from the back of the gym at the team's facility, but did not shake hands with Vogel and declined interview requests. He shot baskets on another court while Vogel did one-on-one interviews with television reporters.

Vogel takes over a team that has been in turmoil on and off the court. The Lakers have missed the playoffs for six straight seasons, a drought that was expected to end in James' first season. But injuries to James, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, as well as the internal discord, resulted in a 37-45 record. Vogel will be the Lakers' sixth coach since Phil Jackson stepped down after the 2010-11 season.

The 45-year old Vogel worked for the organization before as an advance scout during the 2005-06 season. He did not coach last season following two years with the Orlando Magic. Vogel went to Orlando following five-plus seasons leading the Indiana Pacers, including trips to the Eastern Conference finals in 2013 and '14. He has a career record of 304-291.

Vogel confirmed Jason Kidd will join his staff as an assistant and said it was something Pelinka brought up during the job interview.

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Magic beat Cavaliers 121-83 to cut their deficit to 2-1

2024-04-26 13:06 Last Updated At：13:21

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Vogel introduction caught up in ongoing Lakers drama

Vogel introduction caught up in ongoing Lakers drama

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Magic beat Cavaliers 121-83 to cut their deficit to 2-1