The pressure was mounted on Luke Walton when he was named the Los Angeles Lakers' head coach two years ago. After all, the Lakers are known worldwide for their winning culture. The Lakers expect Walton to turn the team from a bottom feeder to a playoff contender quickly. This offseason, it seems that more weight was placed on Walton's shoulder after LeBron James — the best basketball player in the world — decided to suit up for the purple and gold. Former teammate, Laker great, and a personality familiar with the matter gave out some advice — Kobe Bryant.

Per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Bryant handed a great tip to his former teammate. Plucking out some stuff they learned from former coach Phil Jackson, Bryant shared:

Kobe Bryant would tell him that the key to coaching James is to be willing to listen and work with him — but also, as Phil Jackson had done with Bryant, to “know what's really important to you as a coach” and stick to it.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers logo on one side and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder logo on the other
Pacers’ X-factor that will determine NBA Finals Game 7 vs. ThunderTroy Finnegan ·
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
Raptors rumors: Toronto ‘unwilling’ to include Jakob Poeltl in Kevin Durant tradeRichard Pereira ·
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) and guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) cheer in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Pacers’ TJ McConnell shouts out Tyrese Haliburton for Game 6 performanceRichard Pereira ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball defended by Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) in the third quarter during game six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Draymond Green gives Thunder sobering reality check before Game 7Richard Pereira ·
Kendrick Perkins Thunder, Kevin Durant Thunder, Kendrick Perkins ESPN, Kevin Durant Suns with Madison Square Garden in the background
Kendrick Perkins blasts Knicks for lack of Kevin Durant trade interestKris Pursiainen ·
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault motions to his team during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game two of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Thunder fatal flaw that will doom them in NBA Finals Game 7 vs. PacersRandall Barnes ·

Walton, 38 years old, has been the Lakers' coach for two years now. While he is relatively young, his experience and basketball IQ is well-beyond his years. For the past season, he's been used to talking to the likes of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram — players in their early 20s. The only asset they hold is their latent potential. The lessons will come from Walton himself. To establish his authority is a relatively easy task.

But with James — a player of superior basketball IQ and commanding presence — things will be a lot different in Walton's third year as head coach. That's why Bryant's last piece of advice is key. It is true that James is the best player in the world. He may know a thing or two more about the game than Walton. But at the end of the day, he is the coach of the team.