LeBron James Speaks Out on Lakers Firing Head Coach Frank Vogel

LeBron James has opened up about Frank Vogel being fired less than two years after leading the Lakers to an NBA championship.

Speaking to the media on Monday morning, the Lakers star lauded Vogel for his time working with the team, Sports Illustrated reported.

"I respect Frank as a coach, as a man... Our partnership that we've had over a few years here has been nothing but candid, great conversations. He's a guy that gives everything to the game," LeBron James said.

"I don't know what's going to happen with Frank being here, but I've got nothing but respect for him," he added.

LeBron James commented after the Lakers' last game of the season on Sunday, where the team won against the Nuggets.

Sports Illustrated reported that Sunday's game with the Lakers was also Vogel's last game for the franchise. The Lakers fired Frank Vogel on Monday, the team announced.

Los Angeles Lakers Fired Head Coach Frank Vogel

It was unclear why the Lakers head coach was removed from his position, but TMZ Sports reported that Frank Vogel shared a fair share of criticism and blame for the Lakers' struggle this season.

According to reports, the Lakers finished with a record of 33-49, which is the 8th worst score in the NBA. Vogel wrapped up his coaching stint with the Lakers with a 127-98 record in the regular season and an 18-9 postseason record.

ESPN reported that Vogel signed an original three-year deal with the Lakers in 2019. He then received a one-year extension through 2022-2023 past off-season.

Vogel coached the Lakers to the 2020 championship. However, the Los Angeles team was reportedly the NBA's biggest disappointment this season.

In 2020, Vogel led the Lakers to have a 52-19 record, the best record in the Western Conference and the third-best in the league.

Frank Vogel has been an NBA coach since 2001. He started as an assistant coach with Boston Celtics. He then served as the head coach for the Indiana Pacers for at least 10 seasons.

Lakers GM Addresses Decision to Fire Frank Vogel

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka addressed the decision to move on from Frank Vogel on Monday. Saying it was "not going to be a day of finger-pointing and unwinding all the specific reasons," Pelinka said the organization felt "it was time for a new voice."

"That's not to say anything against the incredible accomplishments that Frank Vogel has had. He was a great coach here, and he's going to go on to be a great coach somewhere else," Pelinka noted, as reported by CBS Sports.

Pelinka said this season "was a disappointing Lakers season at every level," and fans were expecting more from them.

"In the face of disappointment, our fans expect more, and that's in every facet. It starts in the front office led by me, and our ability to construct the right roster. It starts with the coaches holding players accountable and making sure there's on-court execution," he noted.

Meanwhile, Lakers reporter Michael Corvo claimed that Pelinka said the search for their next head coach would be "methodical." However, the team hopes to have a coach in place by the NBA Draft, which is on June 23.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: "I've Never Seen Anything Like This" - Rich Eisen on Frank Vogel Getting Fired Via Woj Bomb - From The Rich Eisen Show