Sacramento Kings: Will Luke Walton Take Advantage of New Opportunity?
By John Kelly
Luke Walton is a young coach who has a great opportunity to coach a Sacramento Kings squad that fits his style of play. Can both parties thrive off each other?
Even though the Sacramento Kings surprised the NBA world with their electric play, the front office of the organization still was not convinced enough to keep Dave Joerger as their head coach going forward.
Instead, the Kings quickly went to work after relieving Joerger of his coaching duties by going after Luke Walton and signing him to a long-term deal to lead the team.
When talking to my friends about the Kings’ recent coaching change, it is split. The people on the younger side like the move of hiring Walton while the more seasoned crowd wanted Joerger to remain the coach for at least one more year.
Here is the problem with the people who are on Team Joerger. Walton is available now, and Divac would not let Walton get away from him twice. There is no argument that both Joerger and Walton are versatile and qualified coaches. Both are known as hardworking men who bring seasoned NBA assistant coaches with them.
The difference is Walton might be young enough to relate to the youthful core on a level that Joerger failed to do so when in command.