Luke Walton hasn't even coached his first game for the Sacramento Kings, yet he is already making a positive impression with his new squad. Kings sharp-shooter Buddy Hield has nothing but praises headed for the former-player-turned-coach and credits him for ushering in a great culture in Sacramento.
“Luke and his staff he brought in the culture, just everything has changed,” Hield said per Jason Jones of The Athletic. “It’s a good vibe, everybody feels comfortable.”
Hield said the relationship with Walton is off to a good start, which echoes what many of his teammates have said.
“It’s easy, man,” Hield said. “He just comes in, and it’s an instant connection. He’s played before so he knows that player relationship and now he’s a coach so he knows how to relate to us, so that’s big coming from him.”
Hield must be looking forward to playing for a coach that he actually meshes well with. He didn't particularly see eye-to-eye with their previous coach Dave Joerger as the two butt heads from time to time.
Walton seems like a perfect fit, especially for a young up-and-coming team like the Kings. As Hield said, Walton is a player's coach. Thus, he brings that relatability factor that his predecessors were never able to give them.
Basketball-wise, placing a fast-paced system with the personnel in Sacramento seems like a match made in heaven. The likes of Hield, De'Aaron Fox, and Marvin Bagley should flourish under Walton's movement-heavy offensive scheme.
Walton is off to a flying start. Establishing that culture and identity first and foremost is important for any team. However, none of this would matter if this doesn't translate to wins this coming season.
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