[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Luke Walton was the absolute best coaching hire the Lakers could have made.
They had no choice but to part ways with Byron Scott. He had the impossible task of coaching Kobe Bryant‘s last season, where the mandate appeared to be to get him through the season healthy at all costs. Meanwhile, Scott had to develop a core of rookies and mostly inexperienced young players. Their record ultimately wasn’t surprising. Scott was the perfect hire to get the Lakers through such a tumultuous season, and he did so with respect and dignity.
But the Lakers had the opportunity to hire Luke Walton.
Walton experienced the great championship runs under Phil Jackson as a player, so like Scott, he holds a sentimental loyalty to the organization.
He has been Steve Kerr‘s assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors for the last two seasons, earning a championship last year under what some consider to be a more modern, relevant offensive style and the wave of the future. The “position-less” system is predicated on floor spacing and ball movement. It’s an exciting form the Lakers clearly want to emulate.
And Walton wants to run it. When asked if his plan is run Jackson’s triangle offense here in LA, he very clearly pointed out that based on the personnel and today’s game, he didn’t think the triangle would be as effective, and made it clear, he was going to instill what the Warriors run.
He has a vision.
When Kerr was sidelined with health issues at the beginning of this season, Walton led his team to an incredible 39-4 start.
He has demonstrated great leadership in his role, the players rally behind him, they like him, they listen to him.
At 36 years old, Walton is only a generation removed from today’s players, giving him much more relatability to those he’s trying to coach.
And yet, having learned basketball from some of the greatest minds in the game, having been in the Championship trenches as both a player and coach, having a tough demeanor and a strength of character, he demonstrates veteran leadership qualities.
Walton has experienced winning with today’s generation. I remember stories and interviews about how difficult Byron Scott’s training camps were notorious for being, and in his two seasons with the Lakers, it was always hard to tell if the issue was individual player conditioning, or Scott’s hardcore practices.
The point is, there were question marks.
Walton can put together a regimen based on a system of today that has proven to lead to a Championship. If Julius Randle or D’angelo Russell start complaining during training camp after running 10 suicide drills up and down the court, for example, Walton only needs to say, “Draymond Green and Stephen Curry ran 20. You’re running 20.” And they will listen.
As a proven winner basically throughout his entire NBA career as a player and coach, Walton has the potential to bring to the Lakers that which has been alluding them the last few seasons: Superstar marquee talent.
If the Oklahoma City Thunder go down in the Playoffs, you’re telling me Kevin Durant isn’t going to give a serious look to L.A. now?
Raptors star, DeMar DeRozan, also a free agent after this season, who grew up in Compton and played college ball at USC, isn’t going to strongly consider leaving Toronto in favor of the purple and gold?
It’s more than Kobe Bryant’s departure and salary cap space.
It’s the opportunity to win.
Walton is the first Lakers coach since Phil Jackson left who brings this potential back to Los Angeles.
There was a great “Inside Trax” during a televised Warriors game on ABC when Walton was coaching. He talked to the group about how they were starting to play selfish basketball. But he was staring directly at Draymond Green, with a look and a slight rye smile. Green got the message.
This is the potential greatness of Walton.
If he can infuse a bit of that mysterious zen-like Jackson magic that worked so well in L.A. and always kept the other teams second guessing themselves…
If he can introduce a proven winning system that brings out the best in the players…
If he can showcase his own knowledge, wisdom, and vision…
…then the future is now.
Great hire.
Game on, Lakers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]