The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the first teams to strike the coaching market with the hiring of former Golden State Warriors assistant coach (and interim head coach) Luke Walton, as he agreed to terms before the playoffs were even close to being over.
The 36-year-old Walton led the Warriors to a historic 39-4 start to the season, temporarily taking over the helm due to head coach Steve Kerr‘s health concerns after a back surgery performed in the offseason.
Now, the former Laker is hoping to bring that Warriors' culture into Los Angeles' locker room, despite hauling a very differently-built roster.
“The culture that we had up there is what I’m trying to build down here,” Walton told ESPN's Baxter Holmes. “Obviously, [there are] different starting points. It’s a different plan of attack because of where we’re at and the youth that we have. Obviously some new coaches are coming in and some new [veteran players are] coming in. But the way they did things, as far as big picture, is something I’d like to see down here with the way our players develop and look forward to coming and doing the work today.”
The Lakers have some exciting pieces to work into the puzzle in D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and second overall pick Brandon Ingram. Walton will look to bring the same environment he helped grow in Golden State to Los Angeles.
“It was just a good work environment,” he said. “It was a family atmosphere. Guys enjoyed coming in and competing every day. There was a value on doing things the right way. There was a value on the way that people held each other accountable.”
“And I think that kind of provides the right platform for growth and players that want to come in and work every day, even on optional days. We had an optional day last week and every guy on our team was in there — some longer than others — but they were still all in there, which is what you want to see.”
Kerr was effusively complimentary of his former coaching partner.
“He’s just got great social skills, interpersonal skills,” Kerr said. “Everybody who knows Luke just loves being around him. He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s a wise-ass, but he’s self-deprecating at the same time. He talks trash. It all comes across in a really fun, well-meaning manner. Everything he does. And it’s all genuine. There’s no facade. There’s no mind games. No trick questions. He’s a great communicator and he’s fun to be around.”
Warriors point guard Stephen Curry echoed Kerr's sentiments, noting that Walton's genuine persona will translate to any locker room.
“I’ve talked to most of the guys over there [on the Lakers],” said Curry. “They all love him and his approach to coaching their team. That says a lot about who he is and how he’s going to try to change their culture.”
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