Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel started his press conference on Tuesday by honoring former Indiana Pacers coach and broadcaster Bobby “Slick” Leonard.

Leonard, who served the Pacers for 50 years, died on Tuesday at the age of 88. 

https://twitter.com/hmfaigen/status/1382101157875634176

In a tribute by the NBA, Leonard was described as a hard-nosed player, legendary coach and insightful broadcaster who gave so much to the game. The former Pacers coach won three American Basketball Association championships and was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014. 

It was nice to see Frank Vogel give tribute to someone who impacted the game like Leonard did.

Vogel and his Lakers aim to finish their road trip with a win on Tuesday against the Charlotte Hornets. After dropping Monday’s game against the New York Knicks, LA dropped to 5-5 in their last 10 games. This isn't bad of a record at all given that the situation the franchise finds itself in. 

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Vogel has his Lakers maintaining an elite defense (first in the league) even with their superstars out. The head coach is clearly on experimental mode as he continues to add recent buyout acquisitions Andre Drummond and Ben McLemore to his rotation. Drummond and McLemore’s best games so far happened on Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets—whom LA demolished by 25 points. 

Moreover, Tuesday’s game will be a little challenging for the Lakers as they have a new player on the injury list once again. Forward Markieff Morris, who has played spectacular since LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ injury, will not play due to a sprained ankle. However, Marc Gasol, Kyle Kuzma and Wesley Matthews are all available.