LeBron James and Lakers coach Luke Walton held their first face-to-face meeting this weekend, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reports. They had only communicated by text prior to chatting in Las Vegas when James visited the summer league playoffs. So far, so good between the young coach and the league’s premier player, according to Shelburne.
“He’s about the team. He’s about doing things the right way, and he’s about winning,” Walton said. “I can work with those qualities.” The Lakers’ head coach had previously reached out to some of James’ former coaches and teamates to get a better handle on what to expect when coaching James, Shelburne adds.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Restricted free agent Rodney Hood and unrestricted FA guard David Nwaba are potential targets for the Kings in the dwindling market, James Ham of NBC Sports Bay Area speculates. Sacramento could also ease its frontcourt logjam via a deal or simply wait until the market heats up again during the February trade deadline, Ham adds.
- The Clippers’ moves have put them in a position to contend for a playoff berth but they might be better off falling out of the race quickly, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times opines. Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Avery Bradley and Luc Mbah a Moute could turn into valuable trade pieces that could land them some prospects and additional draft picks, Woike explains. That would likely be a better outcome for the franchise’s long-term health than squeaking into the playoffs, Woike adds.
- Veteran forward Jonas Jerebko jumped at the chance to join the Warriors, Logan Murdock of the San Jose Mercury News tweets. “My agent called and said the Warriors were interested and after that, it was a wrap,” Jerebko told Murdock. “When the best team in the world calls, you answer.” Jerebko signed a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal with Golden State shortly after being waived by the Jazz.
I think you mean “Lakers player coach LeBron James and newly unofficially appointed secretary to LeBron James, Luke Walton, held their first face-to-face meeting this weekend.”
LOL
Hood has supposedly said he’d like to play in New Orleans ( maybe after next season if he signs the qualifying offer) and supposedly Houston has talked with him about a contract ( it would have to be a sign and trade).
Well of course LBJ is about the team, winning & doing things right, otherwise he wouldn’t be the GOAT, & wouldn’t have won so many rings & been to so many finals. Some times people really likes to state the most obvious of things, right? Well Walton will be able to say one day to his grandkids, I did coach LBJ back in the day…
LBJ is not the GOAT. All those Game 7 appearances and Finals losses make him a strong DONKEY candidate though.
He does seem to be a Democrat.
Rotflmao…
Michael Jackson is also a strong consideration for GOAT for his Beat It album and other works. But yes James is the GOAT if it were all about a team stat than several others would be way above Jordan. At Least James never quit in basketball. Plus James had to play on a big. It’s court his entire career. Jordan played on a little boys court as they had to move the 3 point line in for him cause he was horrible at shooting threes.
LeBron Hames isn’t even one of the 5-7 best basketball players of all-time. That’s why this whole “GOAT” stuff is nonsense.
He’s the best player playing, RIGHT NOW. I’ll give you that. Anything other than that? Forget it.
So long Luke…..
Agree. Luke is gone. His policy of sitting anyone who doesn’t play defense has to cease & desist. Lebron doesn’t play anymore. He did one or two games against Celts but other than that, No D from Me says The King. Luke will be lucky to last two full seasons.
Relieved. I thought he meant Luke Adams
I’m a Laker fan! Have been since 1980 when a young rookie named Magic stole my basketball allegiance! However, i am not a fan of LeBron and i never have. He is the dichotomy of this new generation of entitlement, catering to me and let me take the easy route and play with my friends chase a title mentality. For Gods sake he gave himself his nickname! He’s a traveling carrying crybaby diva that has no real ethic or will to win and beat the best. The laker goat retired 2 years ago! LeBron will find he can’t compete to even The Mambas legacy much less MJ!
Come on you know the mamba was a volume scorer that was lucky to play on teams with great players.
You put “best team in the “ twice in the jonas jerebko quote.