Luke Walton: 5 things you need to know about the Golden State Warriors' interim head coach

Luke Walton was named coach of the month for November, despite having no wins on his recordMotivation begets success. There are a number of processes and nuances in between, but those two are the first and last dots. Motivation encompasses a spectrum of things – personal ambition, competition, criticism etc.For a team, there are a number of people behind the scenes, bustling about to make the athletes better at what they do; physiotherapists, trainers, nutritionists, family. But at the highest level, such as in the NBA, the onus of motivation and enhancement is concentrated on one person – the coach.Coaches, though indispensable to a team’s success, don’t enjoy the same limelight as the players. They’re stock certainly goes up in the league when their team produces results, but the pendulum swings both ways (read Kevin Mchale). We’re all familiar with the euphemism about those who teach. But that couldn’t be further from the truth in the case of the Golden State Warriors’ coaches.Their head coach, Steve Kerr, is a former five-time NBA champion and one of only two men in the history of the league to win consecutive championships with different teams (Bulls and Spurs). And let’s not undervalue his outstanding shooting skills, some of which have no doubt been imbibed by MVP Steph Curry. Given the intensity of the Warriors’ luminescence, it’s easy to miss some people that should receive their share of applause. We’re talking of course, about Luke Walton, the man helming the ship in Steve Kerr’s absence. Considering that the Warriors are creating all sorts of new records this season, we thought you should know a few things about their interim head coach

#1 He is a two-time NBA Champion

He wasn’t a vital cog in the Lakers’ wheel, but is a champion nonetheless

If you thought that was impressive, wait till you hear which team he won them with – the Lakers! Luke Walton played small forward for the NBA’s most valuable franchise when they won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.

Known for his passing, he was on the floor the night Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Raptors. Kobe even went as far as calling him the “next Phil (Jackson)”, the 11-time NBA Champion as Head Coach. The context wasn’t completely flattering, as Kobe also called Walton an “average player with a messed up back”, but any comparison to Phil Jackson must be received with bowed head and open hands.

#2 His father is a Hall of Famer

Bill Walton (left) held his team past the Lakers for their first NBA trophy

Luke’s father, Bill Walton, is one of the 50 greatest players of all time recognized by the NBA. The senior Walton was one of the best collegiate basketball players in the US and the #1 overall pick in both, the 1974 ABA and NBA Drafts.

After his first two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers were tainted by injury, the 6’11” Center led his team to their first and only NBA Championship in 1977. After 6 seasons with the Clippers, Walton won his second championship with the legendary ‘86 Boston Celtics, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish.

Walton won the MVP, Finals MVP and Sixth Man of the Year award in addition to the Larry O'Brien trophy, making him the sole owner of that distinction. When Luke won his second championship, they became the first father-son duo to win multiple NBA Championships.

#3 He was stalked and harassed by a woman

A mug shot of Beshear

Luke was quite a hit with the ladies when he was with the Lakers(he might still be, but he’s off the market), and perhaps had a little too much charm for his own good. In 2008, Luke was stalked and harassed by a 34-year-old woman named Stacy Elizabeth Beshear.

She was an ubiquitous watcher, following him to games and practices, camping outside his house (in her car, all day) and even approaching his girlfriend. Like an action flick, Beshear would even speed up to follow Walton when he tried to evade her on the road. She even made up a story about Walton’s teammate Jordan Farmar telling her she was pretty, in a flimsy attempt to make him jealous.

But when she pulled up to his car and, face contorted in anger, made a gun sign with her hand, before gesturing firing bullets into his head, that was the last straw for Walton. The Lakers forward filed charges and had a restraining order issued against her. Beshear plead no contest to the charges, and was sentenced to 3 years’ probation, a year of counselling sessions and ordered to stay away from Walton and the Lakers for three years.

#4 His brother ran for Governor of California

An old family photo of the Waltons. From right – Nathan, Chris, Bill, Luke and Adam

Luke Walton’s brother Nathan, ran unsuccessfully for Governor of California in 2003. The election was eventually won by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had more votes than the five preceding candidates combined.

Nathan Walton now works in finance in San Diego.

#5 His wife was a standout athlete herself

Bre Ladd and Luke Walton

Walton married his college sweetheart Bre Ladd in 2013. The former was on the University of Arizona’s women’s volleyball team, and was considered an exceptional middle-blocker. The wedding was organised by Walton’s cousin Harmony, who reportedly planned Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ wedding in 2006.