LeBron shrugs off Vogel criticism: The 'players have to do a better job'

With murmurs of coach Frank Vogel's fading job security emanating from the Los Angeles Lakers' lackluster 12-12 start, LeBron James says it's on him and his teammates to walk the walk of a star-studded organization with championship aspirations.

"I think criticism comes with the job, you know?" LeBron said Monday, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Frank is a strong-minded guy. He has a great coaching staff. And we as his players have to do a better job of going out and producing on the floor.

"We're a team and an organization that don't mind some adversity, that don't mind people saying things about us, obviously, because it comes with the territory."

For his part, Vogel - who helped shepherd the Lakers to the franchise's most recent title in 2020 - doesn't need any reminders that fervent public scrutiny comes with the role.

"There's going to be criticism with this job," said Vogel. "It's something we're all accustomed to. And I've been a coach for 10 years, I've seen it all."

The Lakers enter Tuesday's contest versus the Boston Celtics with the 22nd-ranked offense and 16th-ranked defense - good for the 22nd-ranked net rating of minus-1.7 points per 100 possessions. James has missed half of his team's games this season, with Los Angeles going 5-7 in his absence.