How Soon Some Forget. The Last Laker Memories of Luke Walton

To me, most of you all are in what the say, a prisoner of the moment. I say good luck to that. Your hoping on a wing and a prayer. Luke Walton just got out of the league a few years back. His history is a player that was filled with "so called injuries", that sat on the bench, collected checks, and hurt the Lakers financially.

That is my last image of Luke: Don't any of you remember when you all wanted him to just retire or just plain leave our team so we could sign a better player? He held us hostage for years. He cost us hella money because of his contract, and got paid sitting on his butt. That's my last memory of your all great Luke Walton. He was a bum. Now you all want him as our head coach? Nobody remembers? SMH......

What's any of this got to do with him as a coach? Let it go, he's our coach, not JVG and to be honest about it, never even saw where JVG was a real consideration ...smh

And I say you're a prisoner of your own bias. I get that you don't like Luke Walton as the head coach choice but you should at least give him pre-season until you start crucifying him like you are right now. SMH.

Being a player and being a coach are two separate issues. Let that thought of Luke being a bench sitting/check collecting go.....no one cares....gotta give a guy a break and not throw shade. He's not even here yet and already being negative about it.

Won't call the guy a bum as far as a player and coach. Their were a lot and I know I was one that did not like Luke's contract, BUT seeing how he did learn and even sat in with Memphis U to learn a craft that was natural is not much of a bum, it's taking advantage of a bad situation and making it work for him and if he is given time, it can benefit this team hopefully in the long run.

Who gives a flying f*** lol

He's not on our team to play, he's on our team to coach and he has one of the brightest minds in the league.

Moving on....

Lol!!!!....I hear ya.

Dude, you're looking at this all wrong. All that time sitting on the wasn't about feigning injury. He was actually practicing for when he became a coach. When he says he's been hoping for this position his whole life you need to realize that he is the kind of guy who puts in the work to make his dreams a reality. He started preparing for this position years before his playing career ended.

Look at the bright side: Byron taught them a few circus tricks but the bum might teach them how to survive. Lol.

I don't remember that. I mean I remember him being hurt of course. But don't remember being mad at him for it or calling for him to be gone. I remember a good role player that earned that contract. All $5 million annually lol. You act like he got a max contract! I remember a good, solid Laker. He wasn't my first choice to be coach, but I think it was a good hire.

Edit: actually I just did the math, he cost us $4.63 million per year on his last contract.

Where did you get those numbers from? He signed a 4 year $22 million contract. Are you just counting the years the Lakers actually paid him? If so that sounds about right.

http://www.emptythebench.com/2010/01/19/worst-nba-contracts/

The only good thing that came from it was he was traded for Sessions, who then left in the summer.

The first number is his annual salary for the total contract and yes I listed the amount the Lakers actually paid him during the 4 years he was paid for that contract. It's dead on.

What the hell does that have to do with coaching a team? You've gone off the deep end with this Luke thing. It's not wise to hold a grudge against a marginal player because quite a few marginal players have turned out to be some really good coaches.

What the hell does that have to do with coaching a team? You've gone off the deep end with this Luke thing. It's not wise to hold a grudge against a marginal player because quite a few marginal players have turned out to be some really good coaches.

Excellent point! Isn't that the old stereotype, great players make bad coaches. All the great were mediocre players.

Phil Jackson's career stats as a player:

Points 5,428 (6.7 ppg)

Rebounds 3,454 (4.3 rpg)

Assists 898 (1.1 apg)

Pat Riley was at par or probably worse....

Points 3,906 (7.4 ppg)

Rebounds 855 (1.6 rpg)

Assists 913 (1.7 apg)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

^^^

And that is why those players usually turn out to be good coaches. Lets go Luke!!!!!

I guess I should give up,. You guys are comparing Pat Riley and Phil Jackson to Luke Walton. I'm so sorry, my bad, what have I been thinking. Let's revisit this in 5 or 6 years. If Luke leads us to say, 3 championships, then I will come back and completely humble myself and give you all mad respect. I mean, he's already being compared to Phil and Riley so 3 titles in 5 or 6 years would be about right.

Look, I'm not saying Luke won't be a good coach for this team. I hope he turns out great, because I love the Lakers. I'm just upset at the way it happenned. He seemed to be the only guy they were looking at and I don't see what he has done to make this franchise get a boner over him so easily that they would hire him on the spot. I hope I'm wrong, but this quick trigger is what scares me about this organization.

It's snap decisions like this that leads businesses around the country in ruins. It reminds me of how they put a billboard up for Dwight Howard, things that a great organization like the Lakers should never do. Thats how this decision rubbed me, kind of a desperation type thing. I guess that's just me though. We'll see.

I guess I should give up,. You guys are comparing Pat Riley and Phil Jackson to Luke Walton. I'm so sorry, my bad, what have I been thinking. Let's revisit this in 5 or 6 years. If Luke leads us to say, 3 championships, then I will come back and completely humble myself and give you all mad respect. I mean, he's already being compared to Phil and Riley so 3 titles in 5 or 6 years would be about right.

Ha ha, don't think any body's expecting that. Especially with Warriors still being good for next 3 to 5 years. Think people just want to give him a chance before bad mouthing him.

Maybe he will suck like you think or maybe he'll surprise you. Point being, even if Lakers hired your guy or someone else, they'd all pretty much look as bad as Scott did till this team gets some proven talent.

I'm not saying I think he will suck. I don't dislike Luke. I just don't understand the quick action the Lakers took in hiring him. They signed him so quick, you'd think he just came off coaching a team to a few championships. I'm just trying to point out that to me he has done nothing, to warrant the praise he is getting, so why the roar? I don't see it. I'm just venting because I was hoping for someone with a proven track record. If he turns out to be Pat Riley the 2nd like some are suggesting, then all is great again in Lakerland.

What the hell does that have to do with coaching a team? You've gone off the deep end with this Luke thing. It's not wise to hold a grudge against a marginal player because quite a few marginal players have turned out to be some really good coaches.

I am not going to post any more negative threads against Luke Walton or put him down anymore. I have just been trying to put things I feel needed to be put into perspective. Luke is here now and I am going to root for his and the teams success. It's all good dude.

I'm sure he could use the support.

I'm sure he could use the support.

Lol. I'm a Laker fan. I vent when I don't approve of something, but that doesn't mean I don't think or hope its not going to work out. I bleed purple and gold. Luke is the man now, so I'm going to support him. I expect nothing but the best from him and our players going forward userpete1037. Where did you get your username btw dude. I'm always curious of usernames and what they mean, and yours us one..

Lakerdude: don't stop venting, this is what a forum is for. Just because I or anyone else doesn't share your point of view doesn't mean you should stop. I think the years of FO bumbling and stumbling have really made Lakers' fans question a lot of their moves and processes for doing things. The FO's star thirsty ways no pass moves have made me a believer in almost every star-acquisition rumor there is. Me heating about the Lakers trading their top 3 pick for proven talent is believable to me because Mitch has traded picks for proven talent and its come out of his mouth before.

You and some others have shown that you're not happy with the process of hiring Luke because it seemed like it was the only guy they wanted. Personally, I'm glad they went after a hot coaching prospect to grow with a young team. This is a total 180 compared to the past. I hated the days of Kobe wasn't consulted, will Kobe buy in, is this the correct coach for Kobe and so on. This coaching hire is refreshing to me.

In regards to Luke's career or Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Rick Carlisle, Scott Brooks and anyone else, we shouldn't let their playing careers dictate how they will be as coaches. I don't think people realize how good some NBA players are who are at the end of a bench. I've been lucky enough to play against some of them before, during and after their NBA careers and even some who have tried to make a team, it's put into perspective for me at least how hood and how knowledgeable they are about the game. Their lack of an NBA career or a weak one doesn't give a good idea of how much they know about the game. This one guy was showing me the triangle offense because I inquired about it, this is why I'm dead set against it coming back to LA, lol. I think Luke is a step in the right direction, what we do know is that he believes in ball movement and player movement and I for one have wanted to see that in LA for a long time.

Luke Walton just what Lakers need.young smart championship winning Laker to lead them .the guy is

Smart.Good hire Go Lakers

I remember how the ball moved on the floor when Luke was playing. Let's give the guy a chance before we criticize. At this point anyone is better the Byron , Mike D., or Brown!

I remember how the ball moved on the floor when Luke was playing. Let's give the guy a chance before we criticize. At this point anyone is better the Byron , Mike D., or Brown!

Exactly. I didn't think Luke was great but he had some decent skills. His best season was prior to the ankle injury. Like you said, the ball moved when Luke was in the game. Luke's philosophy is about ball movement and player movement and that's something that really lacked last season. I didn't see a certain offensive philosophy on either side of the ball. I remember some of the subtle things in regards to Luke as a player, things like running a break and and widening out to give the single defender along ear distance to cover or shifting so you give the passer an angle to deliver the ball. People don't even look at the subtle things IMO.

And what does wanting him gone as a player have anything to do with wanting him as a coach smh

Lol. I'm a Laker fan. I vent when I don't approve of something, but that doesn't mean I don't think or hope its not going to work out. I bleed purple and gold. Luke is the man now, so I'm going to support him. I expect nothing but the best from him and our players going forward userpete1037. Where did you get your username btw dude. I'm always curious of usernames and what they mean, and yours us one..

Check out the thread you made...lol. It's not a lot too it. Great thread to start....Great.

Exactly. I didn't think Luke was great but he had some decent skills. His best season was prior to the ankle injury. Like you said, the ball moved when Luke was in the game. Luke's philosophy is about ball movement and player movement and that's something that really lacked last season. I didn't see a certain offensive philosophy on either side of the ball. I remember some of the subtle things in regards to Luke as a player, things like running a break and and widening out to give the single defender along ear distance to cover or shifting so you give the passer an angle to deliver the ball. People don't even look at the subtle things IMO.

I agree with both of you. I remember constant ball movement on his part and the subtle, smart basketball plays. I remember when he was a rookie in the finals and made some really nice passes. That year he was a starter he averaged 11.4 ppg 5.0 rpg 4.3 apg, shot 38.7% from three and made the smart plays. While that's nothing to go crazy over that's a solid role player that I enjoyed watching play. Definitely didn't want him gone. But either way, just like Lakerdude said, I just hope he succeeds now that he's our coach.

Maybe a year or 2 from now we'll look back and say what a good hire this was. Just can't wait to see what unfolds in the lottery and FA this summer. Ready for the 2016-2017 season!!!!!!!

Maybe a year or 2 from now we'll look back and say what a good hire this was. Just can't wait to see what unfolds in the lottery and FA this summer. Ready for the 2016-2017 season!!!!!!!

Agree Pete, just hope if we don't keep pick or get FA'S we want people aren't calling for Luke's head next season. Hope they give him a chance to develop what we do end up with.

Agree Pete, just hope if we don't keep pick or get FA'S we want people aren't calling for Luke's head next season. Hope they give him a chance to develop what we do end up with.

I think he will do fine but you're right, we have to give him a chance.

I remember his playing time very well. And I remember him throwing the ball away too often and throwing up bad shots, when he found the nerve to shoot at all. I was one of those pple screaming for them not to give him that last contract. What I also find interesting is PJ has not spoken out in Luke's corner since the hire. And PJ was one who said early on he thought Luke would be a good coach and had hi bball iq. Which I never saw personally. I love the post earlier in this thread where one guy said "he has one of the brightest minds in the league". How do you know that? Did you see his SAT scores? I watched him when he was a player and didn't get what Chick (or you) was talking about. He was a walking turnover and a bad shooter. And in interviews he sounded like he had an IQ of 14. Then again most bbal guys do lol. Anyways I get where Lakerdude is coming from. And I do remember. As to the correlation of player to coach we currently have no idea. Only time will tell, but asking the question is certainly fair enough. Some pple here to tend to be overly optimistic. And some, like me, are the opposite lol. My attitude is, prove it to me and do it fast. I don't have the patience for another Laker dabacle, and I can't wait until Dumbo and Glitch are gone. If hiring a rookie coach to run a team full of virtual rookies gets that done, then it was a good move after all. If they all come to teach and play and surprise us, great. But I will continue to look at the situation sceptically until such time as I'm proving wrong.

Shep

Your attitude is prove it to you and prove it fast?? Lol... I'm fairly certain I can prove your recollection of Luke's playing time is not as good as you believe.. I could be wrong, I'm just basing that off your statement that you couldn't understand what "Chick" was talking about in regards to Luke.. Again I could be wrong but when you say Chick, I assume you mean Chick Hearn.. Now if you were referring to Chick Hearn it would certainly explain why you had no idea what he was speaking about, because Shep, Chick Hearn sadly passed away before Luke Walton was ever drafted by the Lakers.. I am fairly certain I can prove that as well...

Dang, did Chick die that long ago? Sheeesh. Seems like yesterday. I wonder who I was thinking of then. Who was the announcer after Chick before Billy Mac? In any case I watched all the Laker games in those days, with Walton, so I am sure of my recollection on that score. Just had the wrong announcer. Wishful thinking I guess.