25 replies to this topic

[LALakersFan4Life]

Luke Walton, who has hopes of being able to participate in training camp, has not started any weight-bearing exercises on his surgically repaired ankle. Walton was hoping to receive medical clearance last week, but Lakers publicist John Black said Monday, all forward is allowed to do is running out on a weight resistant treadmill.

http://lakers.freedo...-for-clearance/

[Angela1986]

*sigh*

Whatever. I can't really call this shocking news, or even news.

[Real Deal]

I KNEW we should've never given him that money. What a waste.

[ReaListik]

That's unfortunate for Luke..Hope he gets healed up. Although, I really don't see his future being with the Lakers on a permanent basis.

[DaLakers27]

Take your time Luke. Honestly if this guy could get his health together we would have a solid bench player, but by no means is this guys a starting player. Unfortunately he is always hurt...and playing hurt...

[L.A.K.E.R]

Like Real mentioned, we never should have given Luke his new contract. He's horrible. Solid bench guy, but never healthy. Very little defense and doesn't bring much to the table save for playmaking ability and basketball IQ (which he's shown very little of). I'd rather give his minutes to Ariza.

Edited by L.A.K.E.R, September 16, 2008 - 08:44 PM.

[hype]

Darn.

[ファイナルファンタジ]

Luke Walton: The Next Chris Mihm.

[GCMD]

Luke Walton: The Next Chris Mihm.

Maybe

[popo]

Is anybody truly concerned? No offense, but I think we're better without him and with Ariza specifically playing more. Hilarious picture by the way, props.

True, we have enough depth at SF.

[Beethovenite]

I'm REALLY convinced that we can get a decent piece by sending out Walton and Mihm... come on Mitch, think of something!!!

[Mr. 24]

Yey more minutes for Ariza.

The only thing that I really like about Luke is that he's a good passer and that's that.

[Beethovenite]

actually this is a blessing in disguise guys...

the small forward rotation will be solidified before Luke even returns... it most likely will be played by:

Odom-Ariza-Kobe-Radmanovic in that order...

by the time Luke returns, hopefully Phil will realize how great Ariza is.

If you ask me, Luke should have DNP next to his name on most of the games. In all seriousness, there's no need for him on this team.

[Beethovenite]

Harsh, but true.

Another thing that people forget around here is that having Luke is actually a luxury.

Yes he was a liability on defense last year, but he was playing on a bum ankle on top of the fact that he is just not on the nba level athletically. But his play making ability is right up on top with the best of them, and he has a decent post game as well as a decent shooting touch. If he is to come back truly healthy, Luke Walton will be the league's BEST 4th string small forward.

Remember that before Luke, there is Odom-Ariza-Radmanovic. Maybe even Kobe before Luke. The rotation on this team is extremely deep and versatile. There are few core players such as Kobe-Odom-Gasol who can play MULTIPLE positions. There really is no need for guys like Luke and Mihm and all of them as long as we are injury free and the guys stay out of foul trouble.

What you want is a tight 9-man rotation anyway by the time we get close to the playoff season. And trust me, Luke is not on that list.

Bynum
Gasol
Odom
Kobe
Fisher
Farmar
Vujacic
Ariza
Radmanovic

The coaching staff will slide people around the SF-PF-C position to make it work without using more than 9-10 players a game. Besides, who knows Sun Yue and Powell might actually be serviceable...

But of course all of this is obviously a pipe dream... we all know Phil's got a huge boner for Puke. *sigh*

[insert coin here]

Luke should just concentrate on his BBQ...

[A_V_R]

Hopefully luke goes back to arizona and reads a [expletive]ing book on basketball.





joking.

[Rick]

When did Luke have surgery? If he was expecting to be able to workout by now that might mean they failed to repair it properly.