luke, the forgotten man.

[dockingsched]

luke recently had ankle surgery that further emphasized a rather injury plagued season, a season he probably didn't play a single game 100%. he had no lift, something that was exposed every time he tried his trademark turn around fadeaway. he had no confidence in his shot, and tried to force things way too often in other facets of the game. when healthy though, he's shown he can be a viable option at sf.

right now lamar is set to start at sf, with his future past this year unknown. ariza hasn't been in gameshape since early 08, but he's never shown any real jumpshot. vlad, well yeah. luke on the other hand has shown that he can be a strong contributor at sf. when he was healthy and playing at his best, he helped the team click. the often quoted "yeast in bread" was used to describe his importance to the offense. in short, the guy was an asset with his passing, spacing, and improved jumpshot. he's also a pretty solid rebounder and often an underrated defender. at least he won't be the complete liability radman is.

everyone always talks about lamar's transition to sf, ariza's expected rise in minutes, and the ever looming possiblity of trading for a new sf. don't forget luke. a lot of people jumped off the "luck" walton bandwagon but don't sleep on his possible contributions next yr.

[kno]

Ive always been a fan of Luke's game. Matter of fact, my game resembles that of a healthy Luke. lol.

I feel as is Luke will have a jump in production just as Sasha had last season. I honestly feel he will be a key contributor this upcoming season, having an impact similar to Fisher's.

When healthy, like you said, he was a great player (great in relation to other levels we've seen him play at). He was a warrior and played through the whole last season hobbling up and down the court. He knows he has to help his team out, which is one of the reasons why I believe he will come back with a vengeance.

I too, say dont sleep on Luke.

[milesfides]

just kidding.

I agree with all your points. I wouldn't be surprised if he revives his 06-07 form and ends up being our starting SF, especially since I think Odom is eventually going to be gone (without adequate compensation).

The biggest obstacle for Luke Walton is something Luke seemingly can't control: his health.

He can't stay healthy. I don't want to call it genetic, I don't want to call it a curse. He just hasn't proven he can stay healthy. He can play hurt, no doubt, admirably. But he needs to be healthy to be a consistent contributor, and that's something he has to prove.

I think all our SF's have something to prove though, not just Walton. Ariza has to prove that he can hit shots and will be a better man defender instead of gambler. Radman has everything to prove except his shooting. Odom has a lot to prove, and unfortunately, maybe it still doesn't matter.

I just hope Walton stays healthy, because whether he starts or comes off the bench, he's going to be a great passer, good rebounder, surprising scorer, and a smart defender.

[snaquille oatmeal]

Ive always been a fan of Luke's game. Matter of fact, my game resembles that of a healthy Luke. lol.

hey playa, I hope you mean your game with the hos and not as a mod or a baller.

[That Nicka]

I'm one of Luke's biggest fans on this board. He is actually one of my favorite players on the Lakers. Since 2006, our record with Luke Walton in the starting lineup is ridiculous, probably better than anyone else on the roster not named Pau Gasol... I feel like Luke is a MUCH better player when he 1) knows what kind of minutes he's going to get and 2) is 100% healthy... That being said, I honestly wouldnt mind if our full time SF rotation was Walton/Ariza... give me a solid backup PF for Vlad and Lamar and I would be fine with that

[Rox_Nix_Nox]

Luke got his contract an then he got fat. Serious look at some tapes of him in his contract year..the bum was in shape. he needs to get back to that or else we should boo him like kwame on home court

[Rox_Nix_Nox]

sad

[semi-sentient]

Luke just needs to get his outside shot back. A couple of seasons ago I believe he was top 5 in 3-point shooting through half the season, the injuries hit and he was never the same. As a SF, that's what we need from him, and as an added benefit it keeps him away from the rim where he tends to screw things up more times than not. He does have a nice little turnaround post move, but I don't think I've seen any other Laker blow as many easy layups.

On the defensive end, I think he's more than adequate. Not great, but certainly not bad either. He's a smart defender, and that makes up for his lack of athleticism.

[daddyfivestar]

I heard a recent interview with Cleamons who called Luke Phil's security blanket.

He said Phil always has a guy who, when the triangle isn't being run right, will get put in to get order back - reorg the team on the floor. He said Luke was this guy, Paxson and Buechler were his Chicago guys with those teams.

You have to like Luke's decision making: He said no way jose to Britney Spears, right when she was in the 'gotta get married and pop out some kids' mode.

.

[TommyTheCat]

Luke 08-09

Yeast in Bread or Yeast Infection??

[hermes]

I heard a recent interview with Cleamons who called Luke Phil's security blanket.

He said Phil always has a guy who, when the triangle isn't being run right, will get put in to get order back - reorg the team on the floor. He said Luke was this guy, Paxson and Buechler were his Chicago guys with those teams.

You have to like Luke's decision making: He said no way jose to Britney Spears, right when she was in the 'gotta get married and pop out some kids' mode.

.

way to be luke

[Danny Darko]

Luke's a great guy, he has some moments as a player but for those of you who are hoping he'll be healthy: Think again.

I wholeheartedly disagree with Miles in that it is genetic. No doubt about it. He's following in his fathers footsteps. Did you know that Bill is the official most injured player in the history of the league? For real:

Walton holds the record for the most games missed during an NBA playing career, when taking into account the number of years he was officially listed as a player on a team roster.

link

[Danny Darko]

I'd put money on Mihm being healthier this year... let's put it that way.

[milesfides]

I heard a recent interview with Cleamons who called Luke Phil's security blanket.

He said Phil always has a guy who, when the triangle isn't being run right, will get put in to get order back - reorg the team on the floor. He said Luke was this guy, Paxson and Buechler were his Chicago guys with those teams.

Really? I thought the reorganization guys would be Toni Kukoc and Pippen.

By the way, how good was Tonic Kukoc? He was the Bull's sixth man, but he was an awesome player, and amazing in the triangle offense.

[monk302]

Let's hope if Luke is healthy we can find a sucker to take his contract off our hands!

[tracey_nice]

Ive always been a fan of Luke's game. Matter of fact, my game resembles that of a healthy Luke. lol.

That sucks.

[Joe Kleazy]

^^^^^^ KNO will NEVER hear the end of this. LOL And if its truley the case then sorry for him.

When keepin it real goes hella wrong.

[hermes]

kno, at least its better than my game, i'm something of a vladrad/ brian cook

[tracey_nice]

At least you could spread the floor.

[dockingsched]

Let's hope if Luke is healthy we can find a sucker to take his contract off our hands!

if luke is healthy, he's a key piece to a lakers title run.

agree with everyone that injuries are the biggest concern. his ankles are seemingly made of glass. like a few mentioned though, he plays through it. sadly, injury concerns aren't exclusive to luke. lamar is due for an injury plagued yr if you go by his one yr hurt, one yr healthy pattern. ariza has been hurt throughout his career as well. when all are healthy, luke is the player that best fits the needs of the team at sf.