Sacramento Kings: Will Luke Walton Take Advantage of New Opportunity?

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SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 15 : Vlade Divac introduces Luke Walton as the new Head Coach of the Sacramento Kings at a press conference on April 15, 2019 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Can Walton Fix His Reputation?

This is Luke Walton’s chance to take a talented young core of players and do what Vlade hired him to do. Take them to the next level along with sealing a spot in the playoffs.

It has been pointed out that Walton’s Los Angeles Lakers showed some competence on defense, despite being a subpar defensive squad for the overall season. Per Basketball Reference, let us compare the defensive ratings between the Lakers and Kings. Last season, the Kings’ rating was 112 compared to the Lakers’ 110 in per 100 points allowed. It puts Joerger and Walton about the same on defense. Here is the difference maker, however, adapting.

An advantage Walton has over Joerger is he will adjust his game plan quickly when he sees something is not working on the court. Joerger could be stubborn to a fault at times. Walton has an energetic, protect your players’ style that will get the players to embrace Walton as their “guy”. Luke must bring defense to match his energy if the Kings want to improve on their record from last season.

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