Los Angeles Lakers: How Luke Walton and LeBron James can coexist

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton wants and needs to continue to be a players coach, he was mentored by the best, and there is a way he can rise to the occasion, LeBron James willing.

It will go down as one of the most historic days in Los Angeles Lakers history. July 1, 2018, the day that LeBron James was signed by Lakers Legend Magic Johnson to a humongous four-year $154 million dollar deal. Luke Walton will now be coaching who is arguably the best NBA Player in the league.

LeBron and Luke were part of the same draft class 15 years ago in the 2003 NBA Draft! Bron Bron was drafted as the No. 1 pick and Luke was drafted at No. 32. Both are former Cleveland Cavaliers. Walton played in Cleveland from 2011-2013, the last two years he played in the NBA after 11 seasons and two Championship rings playing for the Lakers in 2009 and 2010.

While Luke was finishing his career in Cleveland, LeBron had left to Miami to win two championships with the Heat in 2012 and 2013.

No one would ever argue that Luke was a better NBA player than LeBron, but you could make a great argument for who may be a better coach, and maybe it’s time for LeBron to focus on playing, putting his ego in check. Stick to playing and coaching on the court.

LeBron will now be coached by Luke Walton, who was drafted 31 picks after him in 2003. pic.twitter.com/CWxnZ0tSS2
— ESPN (@espn) July 2, 2018

LeBron has a coach now who is a players coach, who is a prodigy who learned from some great coaches.

Walton played for Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, an 11-Time NBA Championship coach. Phil had to figure out how to coach Shaq and Kobe. He wasn’t always successful, but he was successful, and Luke can bounce stuff off of Phil.

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Luke also learned from Steve Kerr how to win and coach a bunch of big named stars on the Golden State Warriors. Kerr is also a fellow former Arizona Wildcat, both are famous in Tucson, and both learned from Hall of Fame Coach Lute Olson. Kerr will not want the Lakers to be successful, but he will want his protege’ Luke to be successful. Kerr will be another source for Luke.

Luke was also teammates with Kobe Bryant, so if he needs any advice on how to coach a star, Kobe will also be there to give him advice, if he needs it. Luke may have this all figured out already if you listen to his Hall of Fame NBA Champion (2X), NBA Championship MVP (1977) father Bill Walton, he has no worries. Walton Sr. is happy for his son Luke and LeBron as well. He hoped his son would get the chance to coach LeBron. His dad is another source of support for Luke.

But would Luke want to coach LeBron? “I love LeBron James I love Luke Walton– LeBron is the answer for any question you want to ask, LeBron is perfect — he does all the right things on and off the court,” explained Bill. “I want what’s best for Luke, but I also want what’s best for LeBron,” said Bill, “I’m happier when the Lakers win, I want what’s best for the Lakers, and I want Luke to be hugely successful.”

Luke can get all the advise possible, but if LeBron doesn’t buy into the Warriors type of teamwork, putting your ego at the door, play like a team, listen to your coach this four-year experiment might not work.

James has to buy in and show respect for his coaches, that is the one thing that most fans get their feathers ruffled over. When you see James taking over coaching the team, or playing all positions to get his team a win, it will not work in Los Angeles with the young core, if LeBron can’t help the Lakers rise above all the hype and work together.

Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers Franchise History

Basketball is a team sport, and Kevin Durant bought in for the Warriors and won the Championship and the Finals MVP. King James must do the same, and all will be fantastic in La La Land! It’s SHOWTIME!