The Los Angeles Lakers end 2019 with the best record in the Western Conference at 26-7. However, while they appear to be the favorites to emerge from the West and play for an NBA title, head coach Frank Vogel isn't counting that alone.
Vogel cited that Sunday's 108-95 win over the Dallas Mavericks is a reason to be excited about what the team could be when it comes time to compete for a championship.
“I'm happy with where we're at,” Vogel said, per Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet. “The last game was a microcosm of that — we take the No. 1 team in the league offensively and hold them to 95 points, watch the tape and realize that we could have been a lot better on the defensive end. It's reason for optimism that we still have a long way to go and a lot of room for improvement. It's exciting what we can be.”
Vogel citing his team's room for improvement should leave opponents concerned, factoring in that the Lakers have already allowed the fifth-fewest points per game (105.3) on a nightly basis. The star tandem of LeBron James and Anthony Davis looks fresh and both have made their case for All-Star nods — with James leading the league in assists per game (10.8).
After a rare four-game losing streak earlier in December, the Lakers enter the new year having won each of its last two games. Moreover, they have four straight games versus teams with a record below .500 on the horizon.
No matter how many wins the Lakers pile up during the regular season, Frank Vogel and Co. are eyeing a win in the final game of the season as a culmination of their goals.
Follow Us
Subscribe