Only on the rarest occasions will you see a former Phoenix Suns affiliate defend a Los Angels Laker…against the Lakers themselves. But last night, we got just that, so feel free to go buy a bunch of lottery tickets on your ride home from work today.
Coming to current Lakers head coach Frank Vogel’s defense, longtime Phoenix general manger Ryan McDonough jumped on Twitter last night, calling out Los Angeles ownership for mishandling Vogel’s apparently jeopardized position with the team.
More or less, McDonough took displeasure with how the Lakers continue to dangle Vogel out on a string, both leaking rumours about his shortened leash, while also stating that they have “no current plans” to replace him. The former Sun called the practice “unfair” while noting Vogel’s part in delivering Los Angeles its most recent championship.
https://twitter.com/McDNBA/status/1483624489774501889?s=20
Although the Suns eventually parted ways with McDonough to instead roll with the NBA’s reigning Executive of the Year in James Jones, he did play a significant part in establishing the team before us today. Prior to his firing, McDonough drafted Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. He traded to acquire Mikal Bridges on draft night as well.
Even with the Suns going onto bigger and better things, McDonough continues to support the team. Last year during Phoenix’s run to the Finals, he expressed some honest “FOMO,” but also noted how he feels an abundance of pride with regard to the team’s accomplishments.
For what it may be worth, he sounds on the money with this assessment of the Lakers though. As the coach rather than the general manager, and also not being named “LeBron James,” it remains no secret that Vogel took no part in constructing the crooked roster currently in place for the Lakers.
During the two seasons before this one, including the one where Los Angeles won that championship, the Lakers represented an astute defensive force, featuring players like Alex Caruso, Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Marc Gasol, and Montrezl Harrell.
But now, they find themselves surrendering the fourth most opponent points per game, having swapped those key players in favor of flawed, aging veterans like DeAndre Jordan, Kent Bazemore, and depending on the night, Russell Westbrook.
Granted, the Lakers are just a healed up Anthony Davis away from possibly becoming a true force yet again. But for Phoenix’s outcasts to be shaking their heads at them, it truly illustrates that length at which they’ve fallen this season.