Consensus on Luke Walton?

[dontforget]

A combo of both option 1 & 2. He has his flaws, his rotations drive me up a wall, however, its undeniable the change in the locker room since he became the coach. Partly that's because more talent being on the roster, but mostly it's due to culture Luke has built. How this team played from Jan to Mar when they were healthy, and at times when they weren't, was remarkable for the talent level on this team. That is a tell tale sign that you have a coach that knows what hes doing. Also, how he handle Randle is remarkable. Yes they butted heads, and I'm sure Randle has some choice words for Luke, but the 2 made it work and to remarkable results.

Beyond all that, from his time with the GSW and so far here in LA, Luke has built quite the reputation in the league and is viewed as selling point to lure FA's whether they are max FA's or not.

[Ball so hard]

A combo of both option 1 & 2. He has his flaws, his rotations drive me up a wall, however, its undeniable the change in the locker room since he became the coach. Partly that's because more talent being on the roster, but mostly it's due to culture Luke has built. How this team played from Jan to Mar when they were healthy, and at times when they weren't, was remarkable for the talent level on this team. That is a tell tale sign that you have a coach that knows what hes doing. Also, how he handle Randle is remarkable. Yes they butted heads, and I'm sure Randle has some choice words for Luke, but the 2 made it work and to remarkable results.

Beyond all that, from his time with the GSW and so far here in LA, Luke has built quite the reputation in the league and is viewed as selling point to lure FA's whether they are max FA's or not.

What's the reputation Luke has built? He's a players coach, i get it. He's a young up and coming coach - i hear it all the time. Luke had a very good run with that Warriors team, but lets be honest, any college-pro level coach could have similar success with that team. I believe Mike Brown--who's largely viewed as not being head coaching material--had similar success when Kerr was out. The point is, the Warriors already had an established team with an established system; it would be very difficult for any coach to screw this up.

Luke's record with the lakers is 61-103 - 37% win percentage. I also get we sucked the past few years so i'm hardly blaming this on Luke. However, those numbers are hard facts, whether we like them or not.

Being a players coach will likely get stale at some point... i highly doubt this alone will be a huge selling point to lure marquee FA. IMO there are very few coaches that can be used to lure FAs.

I get most are enamored with his charisma--it's hard not to like the guy--but there really isn't any evidence to suggest greatness, or ideal long term option if you prefer. And to be clear, I do not think we should fire Luke. I am merely skeptical with regard to Luke. At this point in time, I think he's an average coach at best; i would not bet on his being an above average coach in the foreseeable future, hence why i voted replace him better comes along.

[dontforget]

What Reputation has Luke built? Well, here's a sample of some quotes about Luke from the NBA world.

"Since Luke (Walton) took over they've improved every single season and you just try to implement that. That ball movement, that body movement that he had when he was in Golden State." - LeBron James

“I’ve been a fan of the Lakers. Since Luke Walton came on, I’ve been following them a little bit more. I always enjoyed watching Luke coach and put his team in good positions. He did it [with the Warriors], he did it last year and he’s doing it now. They’re a young team, they’re getting better every day, getting better every game. They’re learning how to win.” - Kevin Durant

"We played well for the first 10 minutes and then we went to sleep like they were going to give us the game. Luke had done a great job of making them believe and in getting them to play aggressively, and you can really see it. They came back and stuck it to us, but we had a good third quarter like we wanted to win the game. We got after it and executed better, but I am just so impressed with what Luke has done with this group." - Greg Popovich

“I’m going to say this, I think any superstar would like to play for Luke." - Channing Frye

"I've been really impressed with the job Luke's done. He's really connected with my guys and created a culture where I feel like these guys are being developed really well as young players in the NBA. Any NBA coaching job is difficult and has it's unique set of challenges. I feel like Luke and his staff have been doing an excellent job from what I've seen representing Julius and D'Angelo. I think Luke is doing an incredible job and definitely the right guy for this team."- Aron Mintz (Agent of Randle and Paul George)

Suffice to say people are enamoured with Luke for more than being a charismatic players guy. He's definitely altered the culture in LA and the NBA world is noticing. They also dont seem to care about Luke's record because anyone knows your not going to win right away when you take over a team that won 17 games.

[danfantastk32]

Suffice to say people are enamoured with Luke for more than being a charismatic players guy. He's definitely altered the culture in LA and the NBA world is noticing. They also dont seem to care about Luke's record because anyone knows your not going to win right away when you take over a team that won 17 games.

Good quotes.

Luke has a ways to go. A team at the bottom will go up as you eluded to....but when that team hits "50 wins" or whatever that number is.....will they grow from there??

While a young team has challenges...I think Luke is in the easy part of his career. Ask Mark Jackson. Building a team up is great for a year or two...but that fan-base starts to get hungry.

"next level" <----will Luke take us there? Can he beat the Spurs in a 7-game series? Will he 'out-coach' Terry Stotts in the 2nd-round? These will be the real tests for Luke.

I guess my point is this: a first-round exit is one thing. Two first-round exits in a row, is something entirely different. Half a million ex-coaches will attest to this.

[Spanish_Laker]

I was asking for his head at the beginning of the season, and I think we sucked mainly because of his weird rotations. That infamous 9-game losing streak is on him IMO. However, he improved as the season went on so did his rotation. In conclusion he is flawed but he can be a great coach in the future.

[evilpimp972]

First of all why are we even using his record? We tanked last year and if we didnt we wouldnt have Ball. This year is where we should start to scrutinize Luke.
He's a young coach, its exciting really, because he doesnt think like some dinosaurs (Hollins ...) and can see his mistakes (like not starting Randle)
He's improving, thats what matters.

[dontforget]

Suffice to say people are enamoured with Luke for more than being a charismatic players guy. He's definitely altered the culture in LA and the NBA world is noticing. They also dont seem to care about Luke's record because anyone knows your not going to win right away when you take over a team that won 17 games.

Good quotes.

Luke has a ways to go. A team at the bottom will go up as you eluded to....but when that team hits "50 wins" or whatever that number is.....will they grow from there??

While a young team has challenges...I think Luke is in the easy part of his career. Ask Mark Jackson. Building a team up is great for a year or two...but that fan-base starts to get hungry.

"next level" <----will Luke take us there? Can he beat the Spurs in a 7-game series? Will he 'out-coach' Terry Stotts in the 2nd-round? These will be the real tests for Luke.

I guess my point is this: a first-round exit is one thing. Two first-round exits in a row, is something entirely different. Half a million ex-coaches will attest to this.

I mean that's a future issue. But the fact that he's survived the rebuilding phase is a testament. A lot of new young coaches aren't able to build that competitive culture. Look at teams like Orlando, Charlotte, Sacramento, etc. etc. and see how many coaches have they've gone through and yet they are in the same spot as the Lakers.

But you're right, going from rebuild to contender is a whole another challenge and Luke hasn't proved that nor has he had the opportunity to. So, until Luke falters, I'm not going to toss him aside. This next year is the big year for Luke whether or not they land big FA's. This team should be contending if not in the playoffs with just bringing back the same team. Even in a loaded west where you just may have to win 50 games just to get in the playoffs next year.

[Ball so hard]

What Reputation has Luke built? Well, here's a sample of some quotes about Luke from the NBA world.

"Since Luke (Walton) took over they've improved every single season and you just try to implement that. That ball movement, that body movement that he had when he was in Golden State." - LeBron James

“I’ve been a fan of the Lakers. Since Luke Walton came on, I’ve been following them a little bit more. I always enjoyed watching Luke coach and put his team in good positions. He did it [with the Warriors], he did it last year and he’s doing it now. They’re a young team, they’re getting better every day, getting better every game. They’re learning how to win.” - Kevin Durant

"We played well for the first 10 minutes and then we went to sleep like they were going to give us the game. Luke had done a great job of making them believe and in getting them to play aggressively, and you can really see it. They came back and stuck it to us, but we had a good third quarter like we wanted to win the game. We got after it and executed better, but I am just so impressed with what Luke has done with this group." - Greg Popovich

“I’m going to say this, I think any superstar would like to play for Luke." - Channing Frye

"I've been really impressed with the job Luke's done. He's really connected with my guys and created a culture where I feel like these guys are being developed really well as young players in the NBA. Any NBA coaching job is difficult and has it's unique set of challenges. I feel like Luke and his staff have been doing an excellent job from what I've seen representing Julius and D'Angelo. I think Luke is doing an incredible job and definitely the right guy for this team."- Aron Mintz (Agent of Randle and Paul George)

Suffice to say people are enamoured with Luke for more than being a charismatic players guy. He's definitely altered the culture in LA and the NBA world is noticing. They also dont seem to care about Luke's record because anyone knows your not going to win right away when you take over a team that won 17 games.

Let's agree to disagree, especially since we're both speculating about the future... You think he's between good and ideal and I think he's average, and likely to remain as such. In time one of us will be proven wrong. I'm old enough to have seen how quickly players, management, etc. can turn against a coach. By and large Luke is still in the honeymoon phase of his coaching career.

To quickly address your post - you do know it's quite common for players and coaches to be laudatory with regard to their peers right? Take the above quotes with a grain of salt.

The below were said about Fisher:

"There's all types of paths to doing it," Van Gundy said Tuesday. "And I watch Derek's team play right now and execute the triangle and stuff, and he's doing a helluva job and that's what it's all about. No, I don't have any problem. I think if you're an organization you go out and hire the guy you think is best, period. Phil Jackson obviously knows Derek Fisher very well. He knows his basketball beliefs, he's a guy that's aligned with his philosophy so I would say probably a very good hire. And I think they're off to a very good start, playing again very well."

“Let me tell you I have a great deal of respect for Fisher as a coach,” Calderon told Spanish website Encestando. “He’s a great coach and I’m convinced everybody will think the same thing in a few years.”
In an interview with the New York Post, Durant spoke about how Fisher would fare as a head coach:

“Without a doubt. He’s a smart guy, smart mind. He’s a great motivator, great speaker and can really relate to a lot of guys and demands that respect from everybody. He’s a great locker-room guy. I’m sure he’ll do a great job”.

Similar quotes can be found on other coaches who have since been proven to be terrible.

[danfantastk32]

Let's agree to disagree, especially since we're both speculating about the future... You think he's between good and ideal and I think he's average, and likely to remain as such. In time one of us will be proven wrong. I'm old enough to have seen how quickly players, management, etc. can turn against a coach. By and large Luke is still in the honeymoon phase of his coaching career.

To quickly address your post - you do know it's quite common for players and coaches to be laudatory with regard to their peers right? Take the above quotes with a grain of salt.

The below were said about Fisher:

"There's all types of paths to doing it," Van Gundy said Tuesday. "And I watch Derek's team play right now and execute the triangle and stuff, and he's doing a helluva job and that's what it's all about. No, I don't have any problem. I think if you're an organization you go out and hire the guy you think is best, period. Phil Jackson obviously knows Derek Fisher very well. He knows his basketball beliefs, he's a guy that's aligned with his philosophy so I would say probably a very good hire. And I think they're off to a very good start, playing again very well."

“Let me tell you I have a great deal of respect for Fisher as a coach,” Calderon told Spanish website Encestando. “He’s a great coach and I’m convinced everybody will think the same thing in a few years.”
In an interview with the New York Post, Durant spoke about how Fisher would fare as a head coach:

“Without a doubt. He’s a smart guy, smart mind. He’s a great motivator, great speaker and can really relate to a lot of guys and demands that respect from everybody. He’s a great locker-room guy. I’m sure he’ll do a great job”.

Similar quotes can be found on other coaches who have since been proven to be terrible.

Good quotes as well. I think you made a great point. The NBA is a small world, and who knows who your gonna be working for/with in 2-5 years. Best to keep it positive.

I do think Luke has us in the right direction for the most part. There is no reason to complain. But agree that time will tell. You give a team 3-straight #2picks, and multiple other picks...and it's bound to start floating upward. 35 wins is good....but hardly "excelling".

Next year will bring some expectations. Let's pretend we don't sign a single super-star, but we resign all our guys. I think most fans will be pretty disappointed if we are not a playoff team. I mean....that's kinda fair right? I bet most Laker fans think we will make the playoffs with our current squad....given the growth.

Well.....this year, you woulda needed 47 wins. With a 46-win team barely missing out. There were 2 teams with 47 wins, and so you have to have a winning record against at least 1 of them, or your knocked out. 48 wins is prob better. 3 teams with 48 wins. And a team with 49. <------ so 7 teams with 46-47-48-49 wins in the west. Truth is the playoffs are far from a guarantee next year. But the expectations have certainly begun.

I like the job Luke has done.....but as you put it, he's in his 'honeymoon phase'. <----about to end. Fans are going to start wanting playoffs next year. Let's see if he has the next step in him. I think he does....but I gotta see it.

[stan francisco]

This season was about progress. Check.

Next season will be about making the playoffs, and more improvement will be a part of it. We’ve seen what he can do with a good roster (GSW) for half a season. Was it 40-0?

I’m not a D Casey fan at all, but after 7 years in the same place, almost 60 wins for the Raptors... Let’s keep Luke and the coaching staff intact. He’s brilliantly bright, and a player’s coach etc etc etc. People need to relax. Luke is the least of our problems.

Trust the Progress.