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The Los Angeles Lakers (31-48) were officially eliminated from NBA playoff contention Tuesday following a 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Despite having championship aspirations and a roster that includes several potential future Hall of Famers, the loss means the team failed to even qualify for the play-in tournament with three games remaining in the regular season.
Head coach Frank Vogel heard conversations about his job security throughout the Lakers’ disappointing season, and with it coming to a close, he discussed what it was like hearing outside noise that his job was in danger.
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Los Angeles, California April 3, 2022- Lakers head coach Frank Vogel argues with a referee during a game with the Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena Sunday.
(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“It’s not easy to shut it out,” Vogel told The Athletic. “It’s not fun to have those reports hanging over your head or seeing it everywhere you look, especially so early in the season [and] after what we’ve been able to accomplish here. But to me, that pressure of expectation has been here since the day I signed on.”
Health was a major issue this season for Los Angeles, who rarely had Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James on the floor at the same time. However, the Lakers went 11-10 in games when those three players were on the floor together and the team wasn’t exactly dominant.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, sits on the Bech next to forward Anthony Davis as head coach Frank Vogel stands by during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Sunday, April 3, 2022, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“Every game, you’re fighting against the current of healthier teams or teams that have more continuity,” Vogel said. “Or teams that are just better. Meaning your margin for error is very…