Lakers: 5 Reasons Fans Shouldn’t Over-Hype This Team
Luke Walton’s Inexperience
Admittedly, I was just as excited as everyone else when I found out that former Laker Luke Walton was going to be the next coach of the Purple and Gold. It is a huge upgrade from Byron Scott in so many ways and many of those positive assets Luke brings to the table have already been shown.
There is a more open and free vibe around the organization and the players. The emphasis has been placed on fun and togetherness, rather than the old school, hard knocks style that was employed by coach Scott. The hiring of Walton is definitely an investment that the Lakers were smart to make.
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The problem with coach Walton lies in the fact that he has no true experience as a head coach in the NBA. Yes, he stepped up as the coach of the Golden State Warriors while Steve Kerr was out, but that wasn’t Walton’s team. It was Steve Kerr’s team that Walton was baby-sitting.
Although Luke amassed a 39-4 in Steve Kerr’s absence, the level of talent was astronomically better. With all due respect, Russell, Randle, and Clarkson aren’t Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, or Draymond Green.
Another factor that remains to be seen is how will Walton lead this team during the dark days?
39-4 is a great record for NBA title contenders such as the Warriors but how will things change if the Lakers start the season 0-4? Or if they go on a long losing streak?
What about when the conversations and headlines that have nothing to do with basketball start to creep in? The biggest question is what will Luke Walton’s identity as the coach be. And speaking of identity…