Anthony Davis and Malik Monk Take Subtle Shot at Frank Vogel’s Poor Rotations After Loss vs Clippers

Having LeBron James back in the lineup did not do the Los Angeles Lakers any good. In fact, his poor defense and mediocre offense tonight against the LA Clippers was deemed the main reason for their disappointing 119-115 loss. However, that’s not it. Anthony Davis might have also found the reason behind their defeat and he might not have said it directly, but it seemed like a shot at coach Frank Vogel.

Ever since Vogel became the Los Angeles Lakers head coach in 2019, the organization has gone through plenty of changes. However, the one thing that has remained constant among it all is him making sure they continue to play traditional center next to Anthony Davis.

He has had an inclination towards playing a small-ball lineup : an idea that not everyone agrees to. Despite Davis consistently facing heat because of his current role in the lineup, he has  said that it’s Vogel who makes these calls. So, it’s not up to him.

Now, after the purple and gold’s loss against the Clippers, Davis applauded the rival teams’ head coach Ty Lue which seemed like a subtle shot at his own coach. According to Harrison Faigen, “Anthony Davis credited Ty Lue’s play calling down the stretch for the Clippers, saying that he found ways to take advantage of the Lakers’ aggressive rotations.”

Anthony Davis credited Ty Lue’s playcalling down the stretch for the Clippers, saying that he found ways to take advantage of the Lakers’ aggressive rotations.

— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) December 4, 2021

In fact, Davis wasn’t the only one who also praised Ty Lue. One can’t help but feel that he also wanted to take a jab at Vogel’s coaching.

Malik has now called this “great coaching” at least three times during his postgame presser. https://t.co/hACtKnZPVy

— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) December 4, 2021

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Anthony Davis was the only one running the offense

The Lakers had a poor start to the game, on both ends of the floor. Frank chose Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Talen Horton-Tucker as his starting lineup. The spacing did not startle their opponents at all.

Towards the end of the first half, the LA Clippers had grabbed a considerable lead which the Lakers tried to catch up to with their 10-2 run. However, they only grabbed their first lead of the game just a few minutes into the third quarter.

Yet, LeBron James’ inability to defend and step up on the offense really left Davis in a pickle, who managed to add the most points to the scoreboard. However, it was too late in the fourth quarter. Once the Clippers grabbed a lead, they did not give it up.

Dec 3, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka (9) guards Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

If LeBron and the Lakers continue to play this way, there are doubts they will even make the playoffs. People can either point fingers at Vogel’s not-so-wise rotation, and a billion other things, but the blame game will not favor anyone.

A good-winning streak had been promised to fans a while ago, and we are yet to see one. The question is, will there be any at all?

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