Just days after completing a statement weekend with wins against the Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers, the NBA season was suspended.
While the Lakers were being constantly updated with the rapidly evolving Covid-19 pandemic in the US, Lakers coach Frank Vogel was still shocked by the speed at which the situation escalated.
“It was a little bit of a surprise to all of us that it was actually happening,” Vogel said during a conference call with reporters.
After the 2019-20 regular season was suspended indefinitely, Vogel admits he took a couple of days to step away from basketball.
“I knew it was going to be a long haul and I wanted to decompress a bit. But that lasted a day or two. I began to watch some of our recent games and take notes on the way we were progressing so that we can make sure we can pick up where we left off whenever we are able to resume.”
The Lakers are left sitting with a 49-14 record, 3.0 games back of the Bucks for the NBA's best record and home court throughout the playoffs.
Frank Vogel said on a conference call that, although has no opinion on what the league should do when basketball resumes, he's given his staff assignments to study up on potential playoff opponents, as if the regular season is over.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) April 3, 2020
Without live basketball to occupy his time, Vogel has been drawn to the classic games from years gone by that have been broadcast over the last few weeks, with many of the Lakers current players and staff featuring.
“I’ve seen Danny Green play against LeBron in the Finals. I’ve seen Jason Kidd play against LeBron in the Finals. I’ve seen my Kentucky Wildcats play against the Arizona Wildcats in the championship game. I’ve seen LeBron’s McDonald’s All-American game."
Although the Lakers were just weeks away from returning to the NBA postseason for the first time since 2013, it's been easy for Vogel to focus on the most important things in the immediate future: health and family.
“It’s a very different time than anything most of us have ever experienced in our lives," Vogel said.
“It’s just a time really to make sure that all of our loved ones are in good health and being safe. Making sure we can have in mind to be socially responsible and make sure we’re doing that, and enjoying my time with my family.”
Vogel revealed that the kitchen has become a popular place in their household.
“We’re cooking together every night. We made pizza last week. Homemade pizza. Just trying to have as much fun as we can and enjoy the silver lining in this, which is the family time.”
As for on-court preperations, Vogel and the Lakers roster will continue to stay ready, with all possibilities still on the table.
For now, it's a waiting game.
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