Lebron James Wasting No Time In keeping Up His Rep As A Coach Killer

[True Lakers Fan]

I'm getting from the fact that it was posted on here and discussed at least 3 weeks ago. Apparently, Yahoo reposted it which TLF posted a little earlier.

Here is one
Luke Walton is mulling lineup changes, and the Lakers may be mulling a coaching one

 

[bksballer89]

"The Lakers superstar was reportedly ignoring Walton’s playcalls earlier in the season"

Good heavens; does this surprise anybody? he did it in Cleveland and Miami.

This part is from weeks ago @trojanfan12 but the comments from the podcast and the link he posted in the OP is from yesterday

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Every few weeks - there has been some one saying Luke is going to be fired. There is even a you tube event with LeBron saying he has never asked for that and does not want to be blamed for Walton's dismissal if it happens

 

[WiggyRuss]

The Macmullan and Windhorst comments are from the podcast yesterday lol.

Good luck finding me this conversation from prior to January 25th

Player Haters' Ball Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast

https://nypost.com/2019/01/26/lebrons-camp-hasnt-been-subtle-about-luke-walton-feelings/

According to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan during an appearance on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast, James’ camp has been vocal about their desire for a new coach in Los Angeles.

MacMullan said there is a lot of “tension” surrounding the Lakers and the people around James have made it known they “would prefer a coaching change” and have not been “subtle” about it. Windhorst called the assessment “a fair thing to say.”



theres the links--- to the NY Post article that quotes the podcast.

 

[bksballer89]

Every few weeks - there has been some one saying Luke is going to be fired. There is even a you tube event with LeBron saying he has never asked for that and does not want to be blamed for Walton's dismissal if it happens

If the Lakers either miss the playoffs or get eliminated in the 1st round, Luke will be fired and I'm sure LBJ will get blamed for it at least partially

 

[True Lakers Fan]

If the Lakers either miss the playoffs or get eliminated in the 1st round, Luke will be fired and I'm sure LBJ will get blamed for it at least partially

I think Luke will fired either way this summer to be honest. Lakersnation has indicated Magic Johnson wants to hire his own coach to run the system He wants and that sounds normal to me - A new president or man in charge brings in his own people all of the way down. I like Luke Walton - but I do think his days are numbered.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

For one thing - I think a good president or vice-president of operations would ask if the coach is at least partly to blame for the many injuries. While some may be saying that's an unfair evaluation - I think you have to look at the stats and ask why so many injuries - I'm not saying Luke Walton is to blame, but clearly there are a lot camps or groups of people that wants Luke fired. I think it's just the matter of time until the Lakers front office caves into the pressure

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Player Haters' Ball Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast

https://nypost.com/2019/01/26/lebrons-camp-hasnt-been-subtle-about-luke-walton-feelings/

According to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan during an appearance on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast, James’ camp has been vocal about their desire for a new coach in Los Angeles.

MacMullan said there is a lot of “tension” surrounding the Lakers and the people around James have made it known they “would prefer a coaching change” and have not been “subtle” about it. Windhorst called the assessment “a fair thing to say.”



theres the links--- to the NY Post article that quotes the podcast.

All old news - there has been suggestions of Luke being fired since last September - Clearly, some or many people do not believe that Luke is the right man for the job. I do think the Lakers will roll with Luke until the season is over though and they will then see how the season ends for everyone

 

[wildturkey]

Lebron doesn't want a coach. He wants a figurehead. He wants to do what he wants to do on court and if things go bad, the "coach" is there to get the blame. He's always been this way. Even in his first Cleveland stint. The one time he got bucked off it was when he tried to get Spo fired but Riley stood up to him and said no(which btw, started the process of Lebron's people souring on the Heat that started the ball rolling on his departure). What's interesting is that period of time where he was forced to have a coach and do things the coach's way was actually the time he played his best basketball. He stopped all his previous bad habits and unlocked his full potential. If he'd be more open to accepting coaching instead of having to have full control over an organization (personnel, coaching, etc), he would probably have some more rings. I mean, I guess it doesn't matter since he's so good that he's won a championship doing it his way so he's gonna feel justified (and rightly so to a degree) but at the same time, great players still need SOME coaching. It can't always be a Yes Man role

 

[RobToxin]

I didn't see the one from three weeks ago but I did see CBS Sports post a similar article about eight hours ago.

I'm chalking it up to a slow news day and sites in need of content.

 

[dtgold88]

"The Lakers superstar was reportedly ignoring Walton’s playcalls earlier in the season"

Good heavens; does this surprise anybody? he did it in Cleveland and Miami.

What's funny is Lue and Spoelstra got ripped because Lebron did this. Hello? It's a reflection of Lebron. Not the coaches.

 

[dtgold88]

Players do it all the time.....Kobe did, MJ did......Magic probably did as well.

It's kind of like a QB in football where they audible at the LOS.

No doubt Magic did......got Westhead fired.

 

[dtgold88]

Of course LeBron is in charge.

Luke Walton is solid and all as a coach, but he entered the league same year as LeBron. Walton probably knows more about coaching, but what are the odds that he knows as much about basketball as LeBron does?

LeBron will only fully respect a coach that he handpicks or an established legend like Pop, K, etc. Walton never had a chance here. And honestly, I totally get it from LBJ's point of view.

Mostly agree, but Lebron handpicked Lue and anytime things weren't going well Lebron didn't care Lue took all the blame.

 

[dtgold88]

Walton was like 34-4 when Kerr went down

Funny it's only a problem with lebron. It's not the coach it's the players...

Exactly......forget about Lebron, but coaching is clearly almost entirely on the players in the NBA. Does anyone think Kerr would have success if he coached, say, Detroit?

I think they were even better when Walton was the GS coach. 29-2 maybe? They were 12-0 with Mike Brown and he did that against playoff teams (in the playoffs). 41-2 without Kerr. Better pray he stays healthy, right?

 

[dtgold88]

Truth is Magic Johnson has been wanting to get rid of Luke Walton already since the beginning. My guess is that they will wait until this season is over and then cut Walton loose - I think he at the most will have only one season left on his contract and may be time for contract renewal any way. Magic Johnson on Lakersnation has indicated that he wants a team like the Lakers in the 80's -

Makes sense since we know he wont fire himself for his own mistakes.

 

[dtgold88]

I think it'd be the most intriguing NBA storyline in decades.

Full faith in him being excellent at it.


Could be a down the road option. But not gonna lie, when he went down on Christmas I looked over at the lil lady and said "Maybe this is it? The point we remember LeBron never being the same." If it is, player/coach would be a great last chapter to his playing career. And his legacy.

I think he has an old faze from him to enjoy though. I've always thought he'll be great as athletic ability fades. And that of all the greats I've watched personally, the most well suited to coach.

I don't buy he'd be excellent at it. Lebron is the ultimate do as I say not as I do guy. And anyone who played with him probably knows it.

 

[dtgold88]

i have read that Magic was not enamored that he inherited Walton.

I would think he would have a short-list already developed- it would be interesting to see who would be on Magic's short list.

Wonder if Walton was enamored with Magic, not that he had a choice.

 

[R.J. MacReady]

Lebron will NEVER come out publicly and say that--- this is how he operates- through his people. He doesnt want to be saddled with the "coach killer" moniker.

And also very telling is that is his PR Firm, ESPN has no story about this even though it was Jackie McMullan that reported it. Maybe ESPN was not happy with that.


ESPN is probably discussing right now on how to spin this.


.

 

[Wamu]

Whoever the Lakers replace Walton w/ I hope it's the wrong hire.

 

[tlance]

Mostly agree, but Lebron handpicked Lue and anytime things weren't going well Lebron didn't care Lue took all the blame.

What did Lue get blamed for exactly? Maybe a few regular season losses?

The Cavs overachieved during Lue's tenure. They got to the Finals all 3 years where they were heavy underdogs against GS. They won 1 and Lue got a lot of credit for it.

He got fired shortly after LeBron left because management wanted him to rest vets and tank. Lue refused to do that. His firing had nothing to do with LeBron.