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Lakers: 5 Reasons Luke Walton Is the Right Head Coach

By Cody Williams

Jan 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton signals to his bench during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton signals to his bench during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 22, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against the defense of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against the defense of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Allowing Freedom Within System

When you watch the Warriors play, one of the primary things that you realize (especially if you are watching them in contrast to the Lakers) is just how free they are when they’re playing. While they obviously work in a tremendous system, Stephen Curry and company are allowed to create and freelance out of their sets and make things happen when they see the opportunity.

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If you’ll recall most of D’Angelo Russell’s rookie season under Byron Scott, that was far from what was happening in the Lakers offense. Though the rookie proved time and again that he was capable of showing flashes of real magic whenever he was given a little bit of slack in the line and freedom from his coach, the leash remained firmly on him and he was never given the ability to be in his best form in the Lakers system under Scott.

And sure, you don’t want to tell a 19-or-20-year-old that he can do whatever he wants—hell, you can almost not even do that with someone like Curry—and Walton isn’t going to do that by any means. However, he will undoubtedly pick his spots and allow players like Russell and even Clarkson the freedom that they need to really grow into stars in this league. If nothing else, that has so much meaning for this organization and is a big positive in favor of Walton coming to Los Angeles.

Next: No. 3 Attractiveness to Free Agents

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