In multiple conversations I’ve had with Pete Zayas, he’s told me that if there’s ever a question about what position a player is you likely need to go “up” a slot. So, if you wonder if a guy is a 3 or a 4, he’s a 4. If you wonder whether he’s a 4 or […]
luke walton
Lakers Podcast: Debating the Lineups
In the latest Laker Film Room Podcast, Pete and I discuss the Lakers first three games of the season and, specifically, the lineups Luke Walton has been using. We dive hard into whether Walton is starting the team’s best 5 players, whether the players who are starting complement each other well, and whether the Ingram/Nance […]
Laker Film Room: Luke Walton Talks Lakers 3-Point Defense
The Lakers have been quite poor at defending the 3-point line over the last few years, ranking 26th in the NBA in 3-point percentage allowed (37.0%) during the 2016-17 season. That trend continued on Monday night, as the Denver Nuggets picked Lakers apart from behind the arc, going 15-27 (55.6%) from distance. In the latest […]
Lonzo Ball stars in the first Lakers scrimmage
The first days of Training Camp at any level of basketball can be tedious, as the coaching staff tries to install their systems via a variety of individual and team shell drills. Last night, away from the media’s gaze, Luke Walton was generous enough allow to his team to let loose for the first Lakers […]
Laker Film Room: Luke Walton and the House of Cards
The 2016-17 Lakers got off to a surprising 10-10 start, allowing the more optimistic fans amongst us to entertain the possibility of Luke Walton hoisting the Coach of the Year Award after an improbable playoff push. Then the clock struck midnight, with the Lakers losing 31 of their next 41, turning a season that began with […]
On Luke Walton and Building A Lineup
The Lakers are 2-1 this preseason and, had it not been for a makeshift lineup of fighting-to-make-the-roster players losing a 4th quarter lead, they would probably be 3-0. The record has caveats attached — it’s only preseason!, teams are not playing their starters heavy minutes, rotations are wonky — but after three years of heavy […]
Luke Walton and the Repackaging of Old Ideas
In the months since he was named head coach of the Lakers, Luke Walton has done a good job of resetting expectations to appropriate levels. He’s spoken about his desires to build a winning culture, but has been careful to not equate that to actual wins. In fact, he’s done the opposite by stating — […]
Luke Walton Will Need to Teach his Young Team as much as Lead Them
One of the ongoing themes of Luke Walton’s hire has been how he wants to rebuild the Lakers’ culture. Coming from the Warriors, Walton has expressed a desire to import the competitive drive and having the proper edge and approach to the work which needs to be done. Yes, he wants his players to have […]
On the Changes in Roles and Rhetoric with Kobe Bryant Retired
About a month after Kobe Bryant’s last game and in the wake of the Lakers hiring Luke Walton as their head coach, Mitch Kupchak spoke about the hire, the direction of the team, what his expectations were for the upcoming season. It was, for me at least, a refreshing five minutes where Kupchak acknowledged his […]
Jesse Mermuys to Join Luke Walton’s Staff as Assistant Coach
Since it was reported Brian Shaw would return to the Lakers as Luke Walton’s lead assistant, it has been pretty quiet on the “who will be on Luke Walton’s staff” front. No leaks of names who were shoe-ins, not even any hints at who might be under consideration. That changed over the weekend when Dave Miller […]