Lakers free agency: Three reasons to pursue Carmelo Anthony
By Keith Rivas
It’ll tell us what we really need to know about Luke Walton
If it’s not the young core to be happy about, it’s the potential at head coach. The former Warriors assistant and Lakers player didn’t disappoint in his first showing at the helm.
Then again, he was replacing Byron Scott — a coach known for not caring a whole lot about chemistry.
The young guys respect him, also. A lot of what was missing in New York this past season was chemistry. You could point to front office communication or the team in general — neither are what you want in the NBA.
Anthony has done the Knicks a serious favor by staying as long as he has. Up to this point, it’s more than obvious they won’t win a title, let alone compete in the playoffs, with him on the roster.
Luke Walton says, to him, importance of the players liking him is more about players liking being in the gym, wanting to get better.
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) April 13, 2017
Now back to how Luke Walton is involved.
Grooming the young core falls heavily on Walton’s shoulders. Not as much with D’Angelo Russell, but more with guys like Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram. Russell is becoming more of his own player, while Randle and Ingram have more than enough room to grow.
While that’s great and all, we’ve yet to see how Walton handles a superstar as a head coach. His time in Golden State doesn’t count, but that’s not to throw shade. It’s just different as a head coach as opposed to being an assistant.
If he can handle Anthony in Los Angeles in just his second year, he’ll prove he’s the guy they want long term.