Report: Lakers veterans had “emotionally-charged” exchange with Luke Walton after loss

Luke Walton
Jan 6, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks with guard Lance Stephenson (6) during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

After a defeat to the Golden State Warriors that was much closer than it should have been, things reportedly got heated between some players and Lakers head coach, Luke Walton.

With the trade deadline just days away and many reports surrounding the some of the veteran players being included in a package for Anthony Davis, tensions were high to put it likely.

It was reported by Sam Amick that JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson, and Michael Beasley were those that the message of “selflessness” was aimed at.

This appears to not be the first time that tempers flared between Beasley and Coach Walton, as there was some tension in the game against Oklahoma City earlier in January.

The players reportedly mostly argued with Walton over minutes distributions.

Stephenson, McGee and Beasley played 24, 11 and eight minutes, respectively in the loss to the Warriors.

It is unfair that Luke seems to be getting a brunt of the blame from fans and even his bosses alike. You can see that this takes a personal toll on the players. People see trades for players but it’s easy to forget that it takes time to move to a new city after settling into a new team just a few months prior.

Even though there was “selflessness” being preached to the players, they can see it as hypocritical coming from a franchise that would easily ship them out in seconds for Anthony Davis.

Author: Kendrew

The Filipino guy

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