Luke Walton has had much success as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. However, he’s a newbie when it comes to head coaching. He’s untried and untested; it remains to be seen how he will fare as head coach of the Lakers. He does have a vote of extreme confidence from an important source: NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Bryant’s high praise of Walton has left Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell ecstatic about the hire. From Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times:
He[Russell] said he has talked to Walton “as much as possible” but is trying not to bother his coach too much. Walton is an assistant coach with Golden State, and the Warriors are in the midst of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I’m beyond happy,” Russell said. “I’ve heard so much about him. Kobe [Bryant] even said Luke is one of the top two coaches in this league in this day and age. I’m just looking forward to being coached and pushed.”
Walton, 36, will be the youngest head coach in the NBA. He’s three years younger than the next-youngest coach, 39-year-old Tyronn Lue. His youth and coaching experience has made Russell enthusiastic:
“I think he’ll relate great, especially with the younger guys and the older guys,” Russell said. “The older guys are his age, and then the younger guys he can relate to because he’s seen that growth over in the Golden State organization. It’s a great fit.”
NBA fans everywhere are excited to see what Walton can bring to this young Lakers team. Hopefully he can perform up to the (very high) expectations that have already been set for him
