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
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 […]
Report: Luke Walton To Miss Pre-Draft Workouts
While I fully support and endorse the Lakers hiring Luke Walton, hiring him, specifically, doesn’t come without potential logistical hiccups. Walton, after all, is still employed, fulfilling his responsibilities as the Warriors’ lead assistant as they look to defend their title. As Walton helps Steve Kerr and the Warriors, then, he’s not able to yet […]
Do Luke Walton, Lakers Have an Assistant Coach Template?
In the past week, names like Brian Shaw and Chris DeMarco have been floated as possible options as assistant coaches on Luke Walton’s staff. DeMarco is familiar with Walton due to ties with the Warriors where DeMarco is a player development coach after working in the video room and in advance scouting. Shaw, of course, […]
Brian Shaw’s Name Surfaces as Potential Assistant Coach for Luke Walton’s Staff
As I wrote when Luke Walton was named head coach, who he brings on as his assistant coaches would be very important — maybe more so than other candidates who were being considered — to his success as head man. Walton, after all, does not possess a lot of head coaching experience, so the type […]
Luke Walton Could Be the Uniting Force Lakers Sorely Need
When you’re 38 wins over two seasons bad, you need a lot of things. You need better players (or, maybe just for the ones you have to realize their potential soon). You need better decision making from those who run the organization. And you need better coaching. The Lakers have, hopefully, addressed that last part […]
The Lakers’ Steep Climb to Becoming a Good Offensive Team
Luke Walton’s hiring rightfully gives Lakers fans hope that the team is trying (at least now) to rebuild in the right ways. The move evidences a humility the team has not seen before — instead of hiring some insider that can restore the team to glory by reinforcing what the Lakers did in the good […]
Watch: Steve Kerr, Warriors Players React to Luke Walton Being Named Lakers Coach
To be honest, I’m still in a bit of shock that Luke Walton is the Lakers’ new head coach. Not because I don’t think he’s ready or didn’t support his candidacy, but because it happened so quickly. Mitch Kupchak said he did not expect to have a coach hired within two weeks, but Walton was […]