Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
by Tom Ziller • Aug 22, 2011 4:31 PM EDT
Deron Williams is going to go play ball in Istanbul. Kevin Love is playing beach volleyball. Kevin Durant is going to make a movie. Luke Walton? The Luke Walton? He's going to be working as an assistant coach for the Memphis Tigers.
Of all the unglamorous jobs a player in the throes of the NBA lockout could take, college basketball assistant coach is pretty high up there, behind only Delonte West's Home Depot bid. But this kind of makes sense, in so much as Walton played for Josh Pastner (then a graduate assistant under Lute Olson) at the University of Arizona and that Pastner had only been carrying two assistants. One of those assistants, by the way, is former Blazer, Grizzly and Arizona Wildcat Damon Stoudamire.
Jason Smith of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal reports that Walton does have an "NBA out" in his deal (whew!), meaning that when the lockout ends Luke will head back to his spot on the L.A. Lakers' bench.
2 comments
Next Post: Lockout Life: DeJuan Blair Does His Best Drake Impression
Previous Post: PHOTO: Tennessee Vols Have World's Most Depressing Typography
Read More: Luke Walton (F - CLE), Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Tigers
Tom Ziller:
Luke Walton Joins Memphis As Assistant Coach ... Wait, What?
The 5 biggest sports stories, hand-picked for your inbox. Show more info?
We’ve developed a unique newsletter that delivers the five most interesting sports stories fans are talking about, direct to your email three times a week. Each email is curated by an SB Nation editor who follows sports the way you do: as a fan. One email three times a week, with stories worth your time.
You can unsubscribe at anytime, and we'll never use your address for evil. Not interested? Make this bar go away forever. You can always sign up later.







Comments
Is Walton going to retire?
by thewiz06 on Aug 23, 2011 10:17 AM EDT reply actions
Unglamorous? Maybe
But if he plans to go into coaching when his playing days are over, the lockout gives him a golden opportunity to get his feet wet.
And as an active NBA player, he probably has an edge in recruiting.
"...and the present, for us, is something that we really look forward to."
- Rick Pitino
by rickmbari on Aug 23, 2011 6:13 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed