despite what Lavar Ball says.
(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball’s oft-outspoken father Lavar says that Lakers head coach Luke Walton has lost control of the locker room and that the Lakers “don’t want to play for him.” Walton responded, telling ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk that he doesn’t feel that he’s lost the locker room, and that Lavar’s comments don’t bother him as long as they don’t affect Lonzo.
Lonzo was asked about it, and responded, saying that he doesn’t feel that Walton has lost the locker room. Lonzo also said that his father’s “a grown man. He’s going to say what he wants to say.” When asked if he liked Walton as a coach, Lonzo responded: “I’ll play for anybody.” Lonzo stressed that his father’s comments don’t bother him.
Walton also responded to Lavar’s comments. When asked whether he felt that Lonzo had any issues with his coaching staff, Walton said no.
Walton was also asked how he feels about Lavar’s comments, confirming that he disagrees with the notion that he’s lost the locker room. He said that Lavar doesn’t affect the organization and he hopes that it doesn’t affect the fans’ opinions of the team. Walton also said that he’s received assurances about his job security from within the organization. “I feel very secure,” he said.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that Walton’s job is in no danger:
Luke Walton's job status is "not even a conversation" according to a Lakers source. https://t.co/7UoivlCUtH
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 7, 2018
