Frank Vogel: LeBron ‘No.1 Reason’ Lakers Still Have Playoff Hopes
Lakers coach Frank Vogel has as good as said the team’s playoff hopes rest on the shoulders of LeBron James.
Despite Monday’s 131-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Lakers’ position is not encouraging. A poor season has seen them wind up in the No.9 spot in the Western Conference at this point.
They’re one game ahead of New Orleans and three games ahead of San Antonio. With 10 games to play, Frank Vogel is hoping LeBron can drag them into the play-in tournament.
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“This is a league that when things don’t go the right way, it’s not a pleasant thing to be around,” Frank Vogel said.Â
“This team has not let go of the rope and the biggest, No. 1 reason is because of how he’s played and how he’s led and what he represents in terms of having confidence about where we can ultimately get to.”
“I’m literally having the time of my life right now,” James said. “The game’s such a beautiful thing.”
You would think so, considering he just moved above Karl Malone into second on the NBA All-Time scoring list.
“Because I couldn’t care less what the narrative about our team is,” James said. “At my point in my career, I don’t get involved in that stuff. I don’t read about it, I don’t hear it too much. … None of that stuff matters to me, I’m having a blast playing the game of basketball.”
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“I’m going to play with a lot of passion, a lot of energy, give my teammates what they deserve, what they need and like I said for the rest of the season hopefully I can stay somewhat injury-free,” James said.Â
“Obviously, I’m dealing with a few injuries right now, but I’m working through it and we’re working through it and that’s all that matters. We leave everything on the floor and control what you can control and what you can’t you don’t worry about. Just my mindset.”
