Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons Luke Walton is in trouble
By Ronald Agers
1. He’s part of the old regime…
Business 101…New management brings in its own people to run the company. The Los Angeles Lakers happen to be the second biggest business conglomerate in the NBA behind the New York Knicks. Luke Walton happens to be the last link to the ill-fated five-year tenure of Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak.
It was a totally different time and mindset for the franchise when Walton was hired. The rebuild was in effect and the Lakers did need a big name to sell to the fans while the team was overhauling the roster through the draft (also read…tanking).
How did Luke Walton get the Lakers job?
Remember, that he was the Associate Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, you know the team that wins the NBA title all the time. Remember that Steve Kerr had to take an extended leave of absence to tend with the complications from his back surgery.
His absence was like manna falling from the sky for Walton as the Warriors had a goal of breaking the regular season record for wins that year. Walton’s record was 39-4.
Not taking away from Luke Walton’s coaching skills but we all could have read one of these articles and coached that talented squad.
Then LeBron James gets signed and the mission statement changed.
Understand that David Blatt was under the same situation in Cleveland as Walton is now. The expectations changed under the dynamic of LeBron James’ return from Miami. An NBA Finals appearance and a number one seed going into the All-Star break the next year got Blatt a pink slip for his troubles.
Walton has been under .500 for his tenure here in LA.
A slow start this season does not bode well for Walton. Magic Johnson is too much of a competitor to sit back and watch things potentially get worse. Remember, he was very critical of the Lakers decisions when Buss was the boss. If he starts linking Walton’s performance with the guy who hired him…look for a guy that LeBron has ties to.
