Los Angeles Notes: Walton, Rivers, Lakers

After suffering an injury and needing to miss time during the 2010/11 season, then-Lakers coach Phil Jackson asked then-Lakers player Luke Walton to chart plays, compile reports and break down film. It was then when Walton first realized how much work went into coaching and grew an appreciation for it, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News writes in an interesting read. The gesture itself helped enforce philosophies and styles Walton has adopted from Jackson, Medina adds.

Here’s more news out of Los Angeles:

• Jerry West‘s contract as an executive with the Warriors is up next summer and it would be foolish for the Lakers not to pursue the legendary player and successful team executive, Mark Heisler of The Orange County Register opines. West, 78, has had an impact on the Lakers, Grizzlies and Warriors and is someone Los Angeles needs to help steer the franchise back toward championship contention, Heisler writes.
• Austin Rivers suffered a mild concussion Saturday and the Clippers guard’s experience is the latest example of how difficult it is to deal with the diversity of the injury, Dan Woike of The Orange County Register relays. In the case of Rivers, he actually passed the concussion tests after suffering a blow to the head and was re-inserted into the game only to be diagnosed one minute back into action, Woike writes.