» WHAT WOULD NBA RETURN LOOK LIKE?
Kings coach Luke Walton has watched a lot of game film while hunkered down in his home in the six weeks since the NBA suspended its season due to the coronavirus crisis, but that’s not all he’s watching.
During a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Walton offered his thoughts on social distancing, homeschooling, the threat of COVID-19 and two documentary series that are keeping America entertained: ESPN’s “The Last Dance” and Netflix’s “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.”
“I have watched every episode of ‘Tiger King,’” Walton said. “I had no idea what it was about, but it hooked me.”
Walton said he is sheltering in place with his family at their Sacramento-area home, where they are adhering to recommendations and orders from health officials. In his first press briefing since the NBA postponed the season March 11, Walton quipped that he was speaking to reporters from his car outside the house “because it’s the only place I can get any quiet in the quarantine life.”
Sacramento was surging when the season came to a screeching halt the night Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19. The Kings were preparing to play the New Orleans Pelicans in a game with playoff implications for both teams. The game was supposed to be televised by ESPN, but it was postponed after the NBA announced it was suspending the season.
Sacramento had won seven of its last 10 games to move into a tie for ninth in the Western Conference standings, 3 1/2 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies. The Kings were 13-7 in their last 20 games.
“I was really pleased with the way we were playing over the last 20-25 games,” Walton said. “You always try to get better as the season goes and we were really starting to see some consistent basketball, just going out and playing hard and defending and playing the way we want to play. Guys were understanding each other and playing off each other, and you could see it in those games.”
Walton said having ample time for film review has helped him learn more about his team.
“It’s more of having an understanding of who our guys are and who we are as a team now, being in our first year together,” Walton said.
“This is normally something you would do in the offseason or summertime. You understand more why certain things work well and certain things don’t, and what’s good for your group.”
Walton specifically mentioned more pistol action for point guard De’Aaron Fox, more minutes at power forward for Harrison Barnes and more five-out sets with smaller lineups. Walton was asked if he considers it unfortunate his team is missing out on an opportunity to experience a playoff race.
“Normally I would say yes, it would feel like that, but again this is one of those rare circumstances in life where the safety of everybody involved is really what we’re thinking about,” Walton said.
Walton hopes his players watch, learn from ‘The Last Dance’
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said last week it remains unclear when and under what conditions the league can safely resume play, but teams facing huge financial losses still hope to conclude the season. Walton said the Kings will support the NBA’s decision “100 percent,” adding the league’s “top priority is the health and safety of the players and the fans who make this league so great.”
In the meantime, Walton is staying home and looking forward to the next episodes of “The Last Dance,” a 10-part documentary on Michael Jordan and his 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. Sunday’s premiere offered new glimpses into the Bulls dynasty and included footage of Bill Walton, then with the Boston Celtics, showing frustration as Jordan scored 63 points against his team in a 1986 playoff game.
“I hope everyone on our team watched it,” Luke Walton said. “I think some of that footage and some of the messaging that’s portrayed, whether it’s from Michael or whoever in those first two episodes, there’s a lot to learn from that, from the challenges of winning to becoming a dynasty. I thought ESPN did an amazing job with it, and I did have some good laughs at my dad getting worked up there. He slammed the ball down a couple times on some fouls he had. I think he fouled out of that game. It was fun to watch.”
In addition to watching television, Walton said he goes for walks with his family and maintains day-to-day contact with coaches and players. He also spends time teaching math to his 5-year-old son each day.
“He was getting bored so we turned it into (a game) — if he gets the question right, I let him throw a volleyball at me from like 10 feet away,” Walton said. “Now he wakes up every morning and he can’t wait to get to math.”
More than anything during Wednesday’s conference call, Walton wanted to thank first responders and voice his support for those who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s most important to continue to acknowledge and let everyone know that our hearts are with everyone through this time, everyone who’s been impacted,” Walton said. “And I think it’s really important that we continue to thank all the doctors and the nurses and the service providers who are working so hard to protect us and keep everything running.”