Los Angeles Lakers: 5 takeaways from the 2017-18 NBA season
2. Coach Walton’s system is fully in place
Maybe all it took was a front office pairing that understood the personnel head coach Luke Walton needed to run his system. Maybe it was Walton starting to get the hang of leading a team his way as a second-year head coach (filling in for Steve Kerr not included). But whatever happened, the Los Angeles Lakers are seeing the results of why the hired Walton two years ago.
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When Luke Walton was an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, he learned a hybrid system that Steve Kerr implemented that combined elements from the offenses he learned during his time in the NBA. Walton has brought that style to the Lakers with his own spin on it, and the organization has given him the players that fit that vision.
The Lakers finished seventh in assists per game, jumping 19 spots from last season’s 26th finish. Walton has always preached ball and player movement, so the assists improvement is a strong indicator in players buying into his ways. The defense improved on the surface, but injuries derailed any season-long improvement, although effort and communication increased.
The main indicator of Walton’s system being fully in place is the success and style of play their G League affiliate, South Bay Lakers. They are a surprisingly deep and fun group of players to watch, and have no problem sliding up to the NBA Lakers and understanding how Walton wants to play because the system is the same from the NBA team to the G League squad.
The reshuffled roster and their fit together could be the main factor in the improved Lakers, but Walton kept the team together and continues to show he has the calm presence and grasp of the modern game that makes him the perfect coach for this organization.