Ex-Coach Luke Walton Discussion

I don't know how many others but I'll raise my hand I expected Luuke to change our whole recruiting and "closing" equation. It's been true so far .....you just put Luuke on the phone with them.



http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/...y-rumors-luke-walton-luol-deng-timofey-mozgov

Luke Walton is already swaying free agents to join the Lakers
By Harrison Faigen  @hmfaigen on Jul 3, 2016, 11:00a 45


Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles’ new additions like Luke, and the young guys as well.

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Back when the Los Angeles Lakers were still searching for a new head coach, there were reports that the team was looking “to find someone who can be effective in spearheading their recruiting pitches to free agents.” After the Lakers agreed to two deals within the first few days of free agency, early indications are that Luke Walton is already fulfilling this goal.

During his first interview following his agreement to join the Lakers, Timofey Mozgov said his “conversation with Walton was key” in his decision, with the head coach pitching him on being the team’s “primary center.”


Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News reports that Walton was able to have a similar effect on free agent Luol Deng, writing that the forward was “pleased with the conversation” he had with Walton during the recruiting process.

No matter how you feel about these two signings, it’s good news for the Lakers that their new head coach is connecting with players in a positive way. And while superstars aren’t going to take the bait yet, if Walton can follow through on his goals of creating a positive culture for the Lakers alongside a joyful style of play, it will go a long way towards making the team a free agency destination again.

Another thing that could lead to the increased success of the team’s free agency efforts is improvement in both the play and perception of the Lakers’ young players, but Medina reports that the core already has at least one fan in the league:

Deng likes the Lakers young players, including D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr.

If Deng (and Mosgov, by all accounts both wonderful locker room presences) can have a positive effect on Russell, Ingram, Randle, and Nance, Jr. as that quartet continues to grow, the group of players who share Deng’s sentiment about them will expand as well.


You can follow this author on Twitter at @hmfaigen.

 

I'm sorry but my choice of sirron's gif at the top is cracking me up. It's perfect. How much fun and utility is it to have the range of expression possibilities beyond the printed word here thanks to everyone that built this site and the "artists" and "artistic vision" for the site that make it possible.

:Headbang:

 

Lmao, I'm sorry but Mozgov and Deng came for the money. I'm sure Luke will be a good recruiter as our team gets better over the next season but Deng saying he was "pleased with the conversation" is not evidence of that.

 

Mosgov saying speaking to Walton was key, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Key to what?

 

Really Dude? Still? Search back or stay up front with the current events..... in this case what Mozgov was quoted as saying was instrumental in helping / (convincing?) him to come to Los Angeles. He freaking said it!!

 

C'mon LT. My 89 year old Irish uncle could have talked to Mosgov and convinced him to come for 64 million dollars. I'm not even Irish either.

 

I'll tell you what I can't wait for, D-Russ running circles around everyone and Ingram winning Rookie of the Year. I'm seething for it!

 

Luke wanted Mozgov over Biyombo. That's debatable. We'll see how that works out. The Lakers also wanted Bazemore but ended up with Deng.

I can see a vision, though, for what Luke wants to do, and I get it. I couldn't say the same for Byron Scott.

 

"Basketball Reasons"

 

Every decision Walton makes is fine by me, I actually have a man crush on him. He seems like such a great and smart guy.

 

I assume Jud was a Phil recommendation. Didn't know he was in the coaching game. I would assume he's coming in a a shooting coach specialist.