The San Antonio Spurs selected Lonnie Walkie IV with their 18th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, one of the few bright lights for the team in a turmoil of events this summer.
As much as the Spurs have been criticized for handling Kawhi Leonard's injury issue last season, who wouldn't want to play for a celebrated coach like Gregg Popovich? Walker is very ecstatic about the thought of playing for the no-nonsense coach. Jeff Garcia of news4sanantonio.com wrote an article on the rookie's words of excitement on playing with the Spurs.
“Knowing that I have such a great coach, such as (Gregg) Popovich, who has built dynasties and coached some of the greatest players of all-time,” Walker said. “I'm going to help the team with whatever they need help with. Whatever coach Popovich needs me to do, I'm happy enough to do it.”
“To be able to play with the Spurs is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me,” said Walker.
On the other hand, Popovich has the same positive sentiments for his prized rookie.
“The one thought that went through my head when (Walker) would use some of that athleticism and do something a little off the cuff, I started to think about Manu when he was young,” Popovich said during a media session this summer.
With longtime starting point guard Tony Parker signing with the Charlotte Hornets this offseason, Manu Ginobili remained as the only remnant of the team's championship runs. However, Ginobili is already 41 years of age, and the Argentinian daredevil needs someone whom he can pass the torch on.
With DeMar DeRozan coming to the team after the trade with Leonard, it is expected that he and Dejounte Murray will man the starting backcourt for the Spurs. Walker then could potentially fit into the sixth-man role, something that Ginobili has done effectively throughout his career.
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