Fire Luke Walton / Replacement Thread

[Kilroy]

Kyrie/LeBron isn't enough to win the West, much less the Chip... Especially not Kyrie and THIS LeBron...

So if that's the plan, the planner needs fired...

[kobe_vs_jordan]

I have a bad feeling about Coach K... I think he's been ducking the NBA for decades now, and I think that's because he knows his style won't work at this level... My fear is that he'll do it just to say he's done it... Sort of a retirement job and if it doesn't work, what does he care... He's still a legend, and as long as he doesn't linger, no one will blame him.

Little about the current college game translates well to the NBA. The amount of turnover (one an done) on good teams is so high setting something up that is sophisticated takes more than 25-30 games together. I think he's got stuff that would work but it's been years since he's taught it.

Overall good college coaches rarely make an impact at this level. While I'm not thinking Luke is a long term answer I'm somewhat at a loss as to what his replacement should be. Consistency is by far his biggest issue along with fitting "his" system to the talent on the floor at times. JVG would fix both those issues but his personality and Magic's together would be toxic I'd think.

Think we underselling him at a good college coach. He's like a Phil Jackson of college basketball . Even then, how many college coaches have two decades of experience coaching olympic basketball?

Not saying it's failproof but He checks all the front office check box. Experience, somebody LeBron respects, has a system, high profile, etc.

[Danny Darko]

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Almost two weeks ago, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN posited that Rivers “may potentially be pursued” by the Lakers, but given how nebulous that was — the Lakers “may potentially” pursue anyone, if you really think about it — it didn’t seem totally worth posting about in this space, even with Smith’s obvious line of access to Magic Johnson himself, and the ensuing likelihood he’s pretty plugged in in this specific area.

Still, it was something worth making a mental note of, especially now that it seems that Rivers might have mutual desire to switch locker rooms in Staples Center. Hall-of-Fame NBA reporter Peter Vecsey is reporting on his Patreon page that Rivers has had interest in coaching the Lakers for a long time, and might have interest again this summer if Walton is let go:

Would Rivers earnestly consider leaving a rebuilt playoff team (three starters are 22, 22 & 20; and then there’s Danilo Gallinari and two nuclear subs) that will enjoy enough cap space July 1 to entice on paper two free agents worthy of maximum investment (Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard are my educated guesses), and an owner who won’t faintly flinch to shell it out?

Of course, Rivers would!

According to a confidant, he almost always has wanted to leash the Lakers. In conversations over the years, Doc frequently expressed an ardent ambition to coach either them, or the Knicks before retiring, if for no other motivation than their worldwide brands.

[TyCobb]

Lets do it

[Kilroy]

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Unfortunate shot of that Marcin Gortat looking MFer "behind' him...

[gts1]

My fear is Doc is playing the Lakers card to get the max amount from Ballmer... Hope the Lakers don't end up bidding against the Clippers just to lose when Ballmer goes deep into his pockets. That would be another loss the front office can't afford right now

[Kilroy]

My fear is Doc is playing the Lakers card to get the max amount from Ballmer... Hope the Lakers don't end up bidding against the Clippers just to lose when Ballmer goes deep into his pockets. That would be another loss the front office can't afford right now

Yeah, Doc was kind of on the outs with Ballmer about a year ago... Looked like he might have been on the way out... They reduced his role also.
So I think it's fair to question the motives...

[Danny Darko]

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Unfortunate shot of that Marcin Gortat looking MFer "behind' him...

hahah if we hire him i'm photoshopping a tongue on Marcin and making it my sig

[Dr Aki]

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Almost two weeks ago, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN posited that Rivers “may potentially be pursued” by the Lakers, but given how nebulous that was — the Lakers “may potentially” pursue anyone, if you really think about it — it didn’t seem totally worth posting about in this space, even with Smith’s obvious line of access to Magic Johnson himself, and the ensuing likelihood he’s pretty plugged in in this specific area.

Still, it was something worth making a mental note of, especially now that it seems that Rivers might have mutual desire to switch locker rooms in Staples Center. Hall-of-Fame NBA reporter Peter Vecsey is reporting on his Patreon page that Rivers has had interest in coaching the Lakers for a long time, and might have interest again this summer if Walton is let go:

Would Rivers earnestly consider leaving a rebuilt playoff team (three starters are 22, 22 & 20; and then there’s Danilo Gallinari and two nuclear subs) that will enjoy enough cap space July 1 to entice on paper two free agents worthy of maximum investment (Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard are my educated guesses), and an owner who won’t faintly flinch to shell it out?

Of course, Rivers would!

According to a confidant, he almost always has wanted to leash the Lakers. In conversations over the years, Doc frequently expressed an ardent ambition to coach either them, or the Knicks before retiring, if for no other motivation than their worldwide brands.

This needs to happen

If only because Lebron can then say "What's up Doc?" in Space Jam 2

[Slava]

Doc is a dream coach for the current situation but there's no way the Clippers let him walk across the hall without at least a first round pick in compensation and knowing our struggles with keeping players fit, there's no **** way I'd deal a first round pick unless its lottery protected to eternity.

[iamworthy]

Did I read that right, it's being reported by Peter vecsey? That alone confirms it's not true.

[tamaraw08]

Hear from Cedano sports radio show ESPN 710 that Rivers has the option to leave in the summer and that two of his dream teams to coach are the Lakers and the Knicks. That Balmer is prepared to break the bank for him to stay and working for Magic might be a problem. Cedano added that Rivers might be the only personality who can check and hold Lebron accountable.
Damon Jones was a guest and was Clearly pushing for Ty Lue to be the next coach. That he won already/proven success with Lebron, also has previous ties with LA etc.
I prefer Rivers esp if he can bring in Patrick Beverley and Harrell with him but they will have to spend a lot of money getting him plus he would probably ask for more control.
I wonder though if the Lakers get Lue and if Boston fails this playoffs if, it will help swing the decision of Kyrie in joining the Lakers.

[Ballerhogger]

I’m sure doc wants extentsion a nice one if they land kawhi or somthing he’s staying

[myersia]

Hear from Cedano sports radio show ESPN 710 that Rivers has the option to leave in the summer and that two of his dream teams to coach are the Lakers and the Knicks. That Balmer is prepared to break the bank for him to stay and working for Magic might be a problem. Cedano added that Rivers might be the only personality who can check and hold Lebron accountable.
Damon Jones was a guest and was Clearly pushing for Ty Lue to be the next coach. That he won already/proven success with Lebron, also has previous ties with LA etc.
I prefer Rivers esp if he can bring in Patrick Beverley and Harrell with him but they will have to spend a lot of money getting him plus he would probably ask for more control.
I wonder though if the Lakers get Lue and if Boston fails this playoffs if, it will help swing the decision of Kyrie in joining the Lakers.

I bet you magic would give doc power. Magic can then sit back and watch again


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[tamaraw08]

Hear from Cedano sports radio show ESPN 710 that Rivers has the option to leave in the summer and that two of his dream teams to coach are the Lakers and the Knicks. That Balmer is prepared to break the bank for him to stay and working for Magic might be a problem. Cedano added that Rivers might be the only personality who can check and hold Lebron accountable.
Damon Jones was a guest and was Clearly pushing for Ty Lue to be the next coach. That he won already/proven success with Lebron, also has previous ties with LA etc.
I prefer Rivers esp if he can bring in Patrick Beverley and Harrell with him but they will have to spend a lot of money getting him plus he would probably ask for more control.
I wonder though if the Lakers get Lue and if Boston fails this playoffs if, it will help swing the decision of Kyrie in joining the Lakers.

I bet you magic would give doc power. Magic can then sit back and watch again


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I really like Doc but the last time he had more power, his team actually wasn't this good. This happens to most coaches who had more power even the likes of Stan Van Gundy and Thibs. Great coaches but not necessarily good at numbers and player evaluations etc.

[Revived]

Lakers would have to trade picks for Doc Rivers since he’s still under contract. And you just know Jerry West will be asking for the Lakers pick in this upcoming draft (#10-#14 range) for him.

[Kilroy]

Doc is the Dave Roberts of the NBA... Good but not great, appealing but ultimately frustrating...

[iQon]

If Doc made this public, I'd say he's just using the Lakers for leverage.

We're not in a position to trade anything for a coach right now. If Doc's serious, he needs to sit down with Ballz and discuss a buyout. Do it on your own dime.

[gts1]

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well that's that....

[dockingsched]

It always feels like Woj puts a little extra emphasis on any news that doesn’t favor the Lakers

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