3. Luke effing Walton
Imagine dumping your ex and getting with someone that makes you feel good about yourself, helps you keep your job and fixes a problem between you and your friend. That is exactly what happened with Luke Walton and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Walton, in his first season with the Lake Show, has turned a lowly, 17-win team into arguably the most fun team in the NBA. Everything he touches turns to purple and gold.
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He rejuvenated a discouraged Nick Young to the point where Young is the new starting shooting guard for the Lakers and one of the team’s best defenders.
Although, you can make a strong argument that not having to pretend to like Iggy Azalea’s music anymore has a ton to do with it too. That sounds exhausting.
He took a group of young, talented players and forced them to play basketball the right way.
While Julius Randle showed a ton of potential last year, he has taken a giant leap this year in Walton’s system.
D’Angelo Russell had an interesting rookie season, to say the very least, but Walton has healed all wounds both on and off the court, and Russell has been productive.
The Lakers are second in the league in points per game and have the highest scoring bench in the NBA with the virtually the same roster Byron Scott had just a season ago.
How did he do this?
One can only assume that Luke Walton is angel sent by the basketball gods to make things right in Los Angeles again. That, or Walton treated a young basketball team with patience and respect.
Regardless of the cause, Luke Walton has made a name for himself in the league as a coach, and the Lakers are very fortunate to have him.
Next: Chef Curry Cooks the Lakers Early Thanksgiving Dinner
What are you most thankful for this NBA season? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @TheLakeShowLife on Twitter.