The NBA is reportedly considering a break with tradition to give Luke Walton credit for the wins he and the Golden State Warriors have racked up while head coach Steve Kerr has been out recovering from surgery.
Previously, all wins have been credited to head coaches, even while they were away for various reasons. Interim head coaches have never gotten credit for these victories in the past, but this could all change, according to Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group..
“A source confirmed Friday that the league is looking into the long-held custom of wins not being credited to interim coaches, but rather to coaches on leave such as the Warriors’ Steve Kerr,”
The Warriors are now 17-0 under Walton, who is in line to win the league’s Coach of the Month for the Western Conference. The league apparently understands how awkward it would be if Walton won the award while being officially credited with zero wins.
To his credit, Walton says doesn’t care about the distinction.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Walton said of the possibility of having wins on his record as the league reviewed the Warriors’ extenuating circumstances. “It really doesn’t…I’m good either way.”
Regardless of the league’s response to this topic, it’s quite clear Walton is a rising star as a coaching prospect. Under the tutelage of Kerr, he’s learning how to make excellent decisions under pressure, which certainly is being noticed by other NBA franchises that are in need of a competent leader.
Of course, it makes a difference having a star-studded lineup to direct every night. Golden State’s roster is loaded with talent across the board and is led by the most exciting superstar in the NBA, Steph Curry.
And on another note, Walton’s success must be quite the bonus for Kerr, who can recover at his leisure knowing his team is in good hands.