Ex-Coach Luke Walton Discussion

I never did understand the hate he got as a player on Clublakers. What a horrible and disrespectful nickname.

One thing is, Luke is not a magician so I don't expect us to all the sudden be a contender. We still need talent and we still need to develop the youth. I hope fans' expectations don't get out of control, and then the pitchforks come out.

 

No Luke's not a magician but Mitch is

 

Well I think the point of the nickname was to be disrespectful lol.

Fans were frustrated that a guy who was once a key piece to our starting line-up fell off a cliff and became a useless bench player after he got paid. Most of us are "keyboard GM's" and so we hated the guy for taking up ~$7 million in cap room (even more since we were in the luxury tax) that could've gone to other pieces. We didn't know, or care, how badly his injury was affecting him. We just saw his contract.

Not trying to absolve myself, but I don't recall ever using that nickname myself. I liked Luke as a player. Just trying to rationalize it and prevent revisionist history. As an example, what if Byron went out into the mountains these next few years, has a life-changing experience, and magically comes back to the organization as an amazing general manager. Would we then go on a witch hunt and call out all the naysayers who called him B0ron?

Not saying it's right or wrong, but that's just how sports fans operate. We need a scapegoat to vent our frustrations out on. Usually it's the coach, but when Luke was a player, obviously there was nothing to call out Phil on.

I'm saying this because I think KB24 is right. Unless we make HUGE improvements, Luke is probably gonna be scapegoated by a lot of fans next year. A lot of us are more level-headed and reasonable with our expectations, but the general fanbase isn't going to be content with progress and player development. Even some of us with cautious excitement and conservative expectations right now will inevitably find some unexpected aspects of Luke's coaching to bash him over.

Right now we're saying Luke and the team is gonna need some time to grow together. During the season when he's making substitutions that we feel are costing us games, or the players don't seem to be running a well thought out system, nobody's gonna say "Well Luke needs some time to learn these things because he's new". We're just gonna be upset.

 

Considering our summer league starting lineup will feature 2-4 starters of our team next season, he absolutely should. It's a great opportunity to get a jump start on developing a relationship with the the team's core and future. He's tied to them and the length of his tenure will be tied to their success/failure.

 

really hoping luke brings ron adams with him to LA

he's the defensive coach they need

 

People were upset with Luke's contract, not necessarily Luke if I recall correctly. I always liked him though.

That is something I am concerned about with some of the names being thrown out for us to sign. Those deals sign fine with the cap going up but could easily come back to haunt us.

 

^^^^ Yes mainly about the length of his contract then we were mad about him starting over Ariza .

Then Luke himself told Phil it will be better for the team if he was coming off the bench

 

And that is why I have absolutely no doubt he'd be awesome as a coach.

 

that's my biggest question...will Kerr allow Luke to raid his staff?

 

Ireland and Ramona talking about Luke bringing Jarron Collins (currently one of the assistants with GS) along to Los Angeles.

I doubt Ron Adams is coming. Ireland mentioned Mitch helping Luke with the staff with Assistant; apparently, Mitch knows a lot of coaches.

 

if vogel doesn't get a HC gig i'd love to see him on luke's staff

same with blatt but i have a feeling someone will hire him

 

Blatt or Vogel would be great additions. Vogel's always had damn good defensive teams. Worth mentioning that I think Vogel use to work as an advance scout with the Lakers.

 

so we dont have to ask them permission like when we asked to interview Luke?

 

I think Blatt gets hired somewhere.

But it'd be great if he can take one of the fellow GSW assistants with him. I'm sure he's smart enough to surround himself with great help.