Ex-Coach Luke Walton Discussion

Yep...that bag would be hell on the hammys...

 

...left knee injury of some sort.

 

Fair enough. I think there were a number of us here though that liked the signing at the time. I didn't think it was the greatest signing ever given the length of the contract, but I definitely liked it at the time, no denying. I gave my reasons - that he was a good player in the past and I thought that at age 31 he wouldn't be completely cooked. But he's looked totally done-zo with us.

Unfortunately the SF position was a dire need for us. We needed a starter while Ingram developed. Deng seemed like a safe bet to fit the bill. Sadly, he's much worse than anticipated.

 

Agreed. I think the majority on this site thought it was a good signing just to bring in his presence, but we all agreed the 4th year was bad.

 

^I don't recall many sportswriters and analysts stating that the Deng signing was a bad move personnel wise the length of the contract notwithstanding. It was lauded that he will bring stability, professionalism and accountability to the team given its youth and inexperience. In some fashion, maybe Deng has outside of the floor and in practices but his injuries and sporadic production on it negates all that.

 

During games neither are the kind of "impact" vets per se that the youngsters can rely on during a crucial possession or make plays is how I interpret it. Both have been role players all their careers so as not to curtail player development. More of a mentorship factor if anything to keep the young players heads in the game...be a professional off of it. Of course, it doesn't translate to more wins as our young core learn how to manage their collective talents and how to win.

 

Of course, but you can't expect your mentor to make plays for you right? I'm sure they know he is not the go to guy now and never was in his career. Deng is there for them to maintain focus and help keep their poise. Deng's role is to monitor their body language and attitude. The kids have to grow up too...

 

Why do they have to ask Deng what to do? Isn't that what the coaching staff is there for? Why can't they figure it out themselves? How do you know that Deng isn't offering advice when needed on the bench, during timeouts and in the huddle? Does he have to offer advice every time it gets difficult? Does Deng have to one-up the staff and let them do their job?

 

Of course it does since those two were brought on for those roles. Again, Walton's comments were about a go-to vet to make plays (a score or a crucial stop) on the floor since our young players aren't there yet. The "youngs guys" don't have to gravitate to them in difficult times. Why do they have to? Would you act that way as a player? It makes them weak minded and not being resilient on their own.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Brad Steven's would've played Zu more minutes. Just sayin.