Five years after winning an NBA championship with the Lakers, key members of that coaching staff have reunited in Dallas. Now with the Mavericks, head coach Jason Kidd and his assistant Frank Vogel are using their shared experiences to build another title-contending team. This reunion brings back memories of their successful 2020 run and a winning formula they hope to apply again.
The coaching staff in Dallas now features several faces from the 2020 Lakers championship team, creating a strong link between the two franchises. Vogel, who was the head coach for that Lakers team, now serves as an assistant to Kidd, who was also on that staff. They are joined by other former colleagues, all focused on a new challenge with the Mavericks.
🤝 A Winning Reunion in Dallas
The Mavericks’ bench now has a familiar feel, with a core group of coaches who previously found success together. Frank Vogel, Jason Kidd, Phil Handy, and others from the 2020 Lakers coaching staff are working together again. Vogel described their championship season as the “pinnacle” of his career and cherishes the special team they had. He now shares those insights with Mavericks players like Kyrie Irving, highlighting how talent and good chemistry can lead to something special.
🏆 Lessons from the “Bubble” Championship
Reflecting on the 2020 title won in the unique “bubble” environment, Vogel is confident in his team’s achievement. He dismisses any suggestion that the circumstances made their win less meaningful. “We were the number one team from day one,” Vogel stated, explaining that the Lakers were the top seed heading into the playoffs. He firmly believes that team was destined to win the championship that year, whether in the bubble or in a regular season, because they had the talent and the belief to overcome any obstacle.
✨ The Importance of Team Spirit
One of the biggest lessons Vogel took from the 2020 season was the power of team bonding. In the bubble, players and staff spent a lot of time together, which he believes strengthened their connection and performance on the court. He wants to recreate that close-knit environment with the Mavericks. “I’ll share what that time together meant to our connectivity,” Vogel said. He plans to encourage more team activities, like dinners and watching games together, to help build the same strong relationships that fueled their past success.
