Ex-Coach Luke Walton Discussion

Overview:

- Took a while to finish the Playoffs, but ecstatic to get started down in LA.
- Extremely talented young players, a ton of money to spend, draft picks this year. Honored that Mitch/Jim feel he's worth leading the rebuild.
- Wont ever get over 2016 Finals, never forgot Detroit rookie year or Boston pouring Gatorade with 5 minutes left up 30 points. Will use it as motivations though.
- [what excites him most?] "Everything excites me!"; lists all the above^, says organization players want to play for.
- [on changing culture] He can't speak to the last couple years, but he wants to create a culture of "joy". They're going to have fun and compete, be exciting for fans.
- Wanted to be a coach since his playing day ended, loved absorbing all the info from Steve and Phil, use all of that as a coach. Approach, signs to look out for, etc.
- Main elements from Phil and Steve and Olson- 1. Compete 2. Love the process/details 3. Accountability/Ownership 4. Make it fun
- [how much have you thought about Lakers last few weeks?] it was hard, but made sure he got his Warriors work done. Talked to Mitch regularly, but will catch up.
- He was impressed with how young guys beat the Warriors, saw the joy/fun, saw the unique talents of each young guy. He's talked to them all, seem like great guys.
- Surprised by how quick Lakers offered the job, once he processed he got his dream job offer he took the Lakers' offer right away.
- He'll be involved in the Summer League.
- Lakers were great about giving Luke time and space to take care of his duties with the Warriors.
- Staff is not official yet (although Brian Shaw was at the conference), will make the announcement some time before Summer League.
- [on absence of Kobe] he's going to be missed, but it opens up fresh opportunities for FAs and young guys. Expects Kobe to be around sometimes (hasn't asked yet)
- [on what he took from Kobe] easy: his work ethic. Hardest worker he's ever played with. Sets a tone when great players work hard. Said Steph is like that too.
- Never had time for goodbyes up north. He'll reach out when he has some time.
- He'll revisit the Finals to figure out what went wrong.
- Experience is important in any job, but can be successful without it. He can relate to young players and tries to focus on that.
- Message to FAs: "That the future is bright! We're going to play an uptempo game." "I know the Lakers organization and I know they'll do what it takes to win. I don't know why you wouldn't want to come here."
- Olson was very focused on the details while Phil was focused on how one play can change the next six minutes. Great experience, but very different.
- Learned interest in coaching when he hurt his back and Phil reached out to him to sit in on coaching meetings. Sees the Phil comparison a little.
- Hasn't spoken to Phil since he took the job.
- It's a coaches job to build the system around the players you have. Culture of competition, but specifics depend on players. Similar to GS, but will be different.
- What he learned after his interim coaching position: "That I love this job. This is the most fun I've had in my life besides playing."
- Reaction to his father Bill: "Sometimes he has great advice sometimes he doesn't." Didn't listen to him on whether or not to be a coach and glad he didn't listen now.
- Compared to Kerr: very similar, but small things separate them. Disagreed on some coaching decisions, but "cut from the same cloth".
- Thought it was impressive Steve busted the clipboard.
- [on analytics]: He loves them. Used them in GS, will use them here. They'll use the #s to analyze things going forward.
- Short, simple convo to decide to work with the Lakers.
- How long will it take to get to the top? "I have no idea. There's work to be done, but to me that's what's exciting." Excited to see players/team improve together.
- He took some needling from the GS guys, but he encourages it. Part of enjoying the process and he said he deserves it sometimes.
- [on 0-0 record] "Life's not fair, but I've been on the good side of fair for most of my life. I'm not going to complain. 0-0 gave me my dream job."
- Family wasn't a big factor in this decision. Home is wherever if you have your family. Special part of this is doing it with the org, and these fans, and ppl of LA.
- [does he plan on messing with the media like Phil did?]: "Yes. Yes I do. That's part of the job and I'm looking forward to that."
The interview ended in applause.

Larry Nance Jr. was also in attendance.

 

Precisely. Byron and Luke said a lot of similar things regarding the organization and their personal feelings/vision for the team. The approach though and the way they go about their business could not possibly be more diametrically different. Two sides of the same coin perhaps.

 

By the way Luke's 2nd baby is due in a week! Crazy time for the young man!

 

This statement was THE most important one that I took from your recap. Good stuff and thanks. When the current players progress and we add quality then the system is tweaked to take advantage.

 

The future is bright

 

Anthony Brown looks 12 feet tall in that fish lens with LNJ sitting down.

 

Walton knows how to work in building confidence and trust with a player but Shaw as one of his assistants earns his money here in developing players. Brown is a mystery who could either be a serviceable player that can produce or a complete bust. James Jones or a Wesley Johnson...

 

Of course... Brown wants to improve, likes to be coached and sees opportunity. They won't put much on his plate and go from there by adding more. Kid wants to work.

Johnson has the talent but not the brain...or the heart. He's a damn airhead... If 24 can't get through to him, well...

 

...what I am looking forward to is who will manage the defense to help Walton out? They cannot be as bad as last season. The slow moving and labored Hibbert as much I like his professionalism is not the answer in anchoring the middle or helping out. That is where it starts other than weeding out the awful tendencies defending the perimeter.

 

What I am hoping for with Walton is that fans exercise patience with him. I still think 30 to 35 wins will be an achievement after the desultory records of the last two seasons. He's a tough person though after dealing with a frustrating back injury which really hampered his career plus I like that he will play the same mind games with the press like Jackson did. Even saw him blow his cool and get a T...

 

One other take away I found refreshing with Walton's presser is how he never got over losses... 2004, 2008 and this year's Finals. If anything, it shows the competitor that he is and will not tolerate it nor messing about. If anything, Randle is the same way even if he is on slow simmer. Things do come to a head with him like last season's game at Washington.

 

we'll find you a link to the entire thing once its up on Lakers.com.

 

Also I gave a great breakdown. Just sayin'...