Ex-Coach Luke Walton Discussion

Shaw was one of my favorite players from the Shaq-Kobe days, he may not have worked out in his first head coaching job, but I really like him as an assistant. If it's true that he wanted to go to the Warriors to be close to home, yet he still chooses LA, I think that's a great look for us. We weren't scoring guys we wanted in any area the past few seasons, so if getting Luke already means we are getting competent assistants to join him, it's a win. I will take every little victory like this along the way that we can get. Luke, Shaw, #2 pick, Russ and Randle playing with/against Team USA guys, tons of cap room opened up, these are all good news, things that add up to a reason to start feeling more positive about this franchise.

 

We need a shooting coach and a trainer. Couldn't hurt to hire a defensive person, too.

 

Fantastic move. It was desperately important that the Lakers get a lead assistant (or associate head coach or whatever you want to call it) with experience. Shaw not only fits that bill, but he's also familiar with the organization and has great clout around the league. He had a hard time in Denver, but hopefully he learned some pitfalls to being a head coach in the league and can use that experience to help Luke.

Next step is probably JB Bickerstaff. He said after his Rockets gig that he'd rather be an assistant than be the head coach of the Rockets. Cool, here's your opportunity to shine. The Lakers and Luke have more or less admitted he'll need some help on that end anyway. Bickerstaff is a natural fit. I'd love to get my hands on Skiles or Blatt, but I'm not positive they'll want to come here as secondary assistants.

Wow. How damn far have we come? Going into this summer I was legitimately concerned we'd keep Byron and lose our pick... Now? I mean how could you argue the Lakers aren't on a roll right now? Luke, the pick, now Shaw... I mean the Lakers are doing everything they need to do. Got to keep this thing rolling! This is incredible! It feels so much more like the Lakers when good things are happening.

 

Could they have found a better #2 ? I can't think of one.

From Phil's last book on the Lakers (paraphrased). Phil was mad at Kobe for taking a phone call in the locker room before the game. Phil asked Kobe why he was on the phone. Kobe replied "B Shaw called with instructions for me on how to beat them." To put it in context, B Shaw was not a player or assistant coach at the time. But he called Kobe before the game to instruct and motivate.

#LakerForLife

 

I hope this doesn't lead to Phil coming to the front office. Both Luke and now Shaw are Phil guys.

 

I think if this is going to happen, it doesn't really matter who is in place. If Jeannie wants Phil here, she'll get him here. Luke was a Jim and Mitch hire though, so if it paves the way for Phil it couldn't be intentional. I'm hoping we don't end up with Phil, I question his desire and commitment as a president/GM, he's not getting any younger, and we appear to be on a solid course or plan at the moment. The self-imposed deadline by Jim was always foolish, if he was going to do that, it should never have started until Kobe was gone, because a true rebuild was never going to happen with him and that contract here. I think Phil does try to work his way back here, but I don't think the coach in place matters, and I sure hope it doesn't happen. Mitch/Ryan West, even Jim > a lot of what Phil has done in NY.

 

Crazy, isn't it? And the majority of that was the draft and Luke/B Shaw hires. Which reinforces the point, you build through the draft and sign key free agents.

 

New York just hired Hornecek who isn't a Triangle guy. I wouldn't be surprised if Phil is on his way out some time within the next year. Still, if he comes back it's going to happen no matter what.

Besides, I think Luke and Shaw are the right choices regardless. If he comes, so be it.

 

So happy right now. Luke and Shaw is a perfect pairing. Just need a defensive minded dude. I wish Vogel was still available.