Warriors Analysis: Best and Worst Case Scenarios for Luke Walton As Coach

April 18, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton (left) and head coach Steve Kerr (right) react during the second quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Best Case: Warriors Bond In the Face of Adversity

The Warriors, who are already a tight-knit group, band together as they read and hear about the naysayers who have begun counting them out. Led by a fiery and eager to prove coach Walton, the Warriors surprise many by leading the Western Conference despite Walton’s lack of coaching experience.

Walton, after spending a year under coach Kerr, has picked up a few tricks of his own. He is a perfect blend of tactician and master motivator, making up for what he lacks in experience as a coach with his experience as a former player. The players look up to him and respect his direction, and as a former player, they are able to connect well with Walton on a personal level.

Coach Kerr returns to a healthy Warriors’ record, and with a battle-tested Walton, lead the Warriors to another championship victory. Walton’s results from his trial-by-fire prove that Kerr was vindicated in his choice to promote him to lead assistant, and the two end up becoming one of the best coach-assistant coach tandems in the league.

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