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Los Angeles Lakers: Why Luke Walton isn’t on the hot seat

By Jason Reed

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers watches from the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers watches from the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Luke Walton has the experience to be successful

Luke Walton had very little head coaching experience when the Los Angeles Lakers hired him to be the team’s head coach prior to the 2016-2017 season. Before joining the Lakers, Walton served as the assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors for two seasons.

Walton’s only real head coaching experience came as an intern head coach in 2015 while Steve Kerr recovered from a back injury. Although Kerr was receiving credit for all of the wins, Walton guided the Warriors to a 19-0 start and had a 39-4 record when Kerr finally took back over.

While most of the Warriors’ success came from the very talented roster that season, Walton coaching had to have had a bigger impact than some think. The Warriors went 39-4 under Walton and 34-5 under Kerr that season. Since, despite adding Kevin Durant, the Warriors have not come close to sustaining that good of a record.

Walton has experience coaching superstars and coaching a very talented team to win a ton of games. Not only that but he has a ton of experience in the Lakers’ organization and knows what it takes to be a Laker.

Walton spent nine seasons in Los Angeles with the Lakers and while he never had any great seasons, has been around the winning culture of the Lakers practically his entire professional life.

Finding this good of a fit outside of the organization would be an extremely hard thing to do. Thus, even if the slow start continues, Walton still presents the best option.

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