Ex-Coach Luke Walton Discussion

This team, if coached properly, could be a top 4 seed in the West. I don't think anyone here would dispute that.

See here for an example of how we are not using KCP well:



Notice the lack of MOVEMENT on offense as well. This is a coaching issue. Not a "team hasn't had time to gel" issue.

 

Are there any coaches out there that are available that are significantly better than Luke? I don't mind firing him if we don't make the playoffs or at least win 45 games. I'm just not sure there's one out there right now.

 

Excellent post. I especially agree with your last point.

 

dont forget the "dont bother defending anyone" just out score everybody emphasis

 

Describes our whole team right now. Possibly the whole league.

 

I think you missed the point of the tweet. Go ahead and watch the video, and tell me if we're honestly putting KCP in a position to succeed in the halfcourt?

And you're right on the offense point. We're running a different primary offense this year (1-4 high) than last year, and it's getting us worse results, as evidenced with KCP. That's the whole idea behind what I was saying.

 

Since people dismiss my concerns -- I could bump my topic from a while back but I won't -- I'll post some other evidence of our shortcomings from folks who understand the depths of NBA offenses.











As evidenced by the last tweet, Walton has gotten too comfy with his Arizona buddies, and at the very least needs better help with Xs and Os from assistants. We can't be running a 2002 college offense.

 

You're showing me a video from 2006-2007. That just further proves this set is fairly outdated. But even more than that, we don't have 2007 LeBron James. It didn't matter what they ran, LeBron could get to the rim at will back then. If we had 07 James, we would make the WCF.

That Cavs team was also bottom half in the league offensively (18th). They had Mike Brown who to this day doesn't know how to coach an offense, and he deferred to John Kuester, who is a below average offensive coach and lost control of the Pistons locker room not long after that. Those same two made their way to LA in 2011-2012 and tried to run the 4 out 1 in offense, which was a bad fit for the team, and cost us big time in the playoffs. So much so that Kobe forced them to run the Princeton the next season to prevent Bynum from being the main facilitator in the offense.

Also, it doesn't matter what LeBron wants to run. Walton is the coach, and he should decide the best system for the team. By the numbers, we are 2nd worst to only the tanking Sixers. LeBron has been quoted saying he would love to play for Pop. I doubt if he ever joined the Spurs, he would force Pop away from motion strong/weak and make him run the 1-4 high.

There's a reason why every single person who understands NBA offenses is criticizing the Lakers offense. Whether its our own LFR, Cranjis, etc. they all come to the same conclusion. Walton and his assistants are not good Xs and Os coaches. Period.

We do run the chest series stuff from last year. I actually disliked it, but it was better than what we're running now, and the numbers show it. Don't fall for the increase in pace and transition points, it's irrelevant when discussing how efficient we are in the halfcourt.

 

I really appreciate your breakdowns @bfc1125roy .

Is there an available x&o assistant available to replace murmeys? I'd love to keep Luke as the personality coach.

 

Luke is the phil jackson of coaches now ey?

 

That's OK. When tonight a rookie and a sophomore tear us a new one, we get one step closer to Puke getting canned.

I say 2 - 10 does it, regardless of what Magic preached.

 

I like him as that "type" of coach. Managing personalities and creating a culture of players loving playing for you is super important. We need better X's and O's though.

 

if you not winning, only thing good with having players liking each other is you wont have a disruptive locker room. Luke hasn't earned that right like Phil did and I dont think Phil was always a coach who only just manages personality, he did actual coaching early in his coaching days.

 

Phil managing personalities and just not coaching is BS. He was more of a former, but let's not pretend he was some sort of chump who had Tex (RIP, mate) do all the coaching for him.

 

Jackson was a lot more than just a "personality coach." He successfully coached probably the greatest offensive system in NBA history - one that nearly every single NBA team employs parts of today. This whole idea of space, movement, and open 3s were foundational pillars built into the offense.

 

I only meant that I value a "personalities/motivator" quality in a coach. Luke and phil share this. X's and O's are equally important. Phil was great at both. Luke needs some help.