Luke Walton may not yet be a hero to fans as new Lakers coach, but the 36-year-old former hoopster won street cred with his players Monday night.
ESPN said: “Walton was livid and was restrained by Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson after Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Lakers forward Julius Randle became tangled up and both went to the court. No foul was called on the play, and Walton immediately voiced his displeasure to the officials before being ejected. He could be seen in replays yelling what appeared to be obscenities in the direction of an official.”
Walton was quoted as saying: “I just felt like I needed to stand up for my guys. What happened on the floor wasn’t right, and my only concern is our guys in the locker room and our team. If I feel like something’s not right, I’m going to stand up for my guys.
“Like I said, the referees don’t matter. The other team doesn’t matter. I’m a huge fan of DeMarcus Cousins’ game. I thought that it wasn’t right what happened out there, so I stood up for my guys, like I will every time.”
Other coverage and commentary:
Julius Randle spoke about the respect he has for Luke Walton after Walton’s ejectionhttps://t.co/DpFnNtPyBu pic.twitter.com/ttmK2kJDwT
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) December 13, 2016
Julius Randle on Luke Walton getting ejected over his 2nd Q interaction with Cousins: “I love Luke. He has our back every time.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 13, 2016
Postgame: “I thought it wasn’t right what happened out there, so I stood up for my guys. Like I will every time.” https://t.co/pNrBHTY2Ol
— LakersTV (@LakersTV) December 13, 2016
This was not called. This is why Luke Walton got ejected. NBA is a joke. pic.twitter.com/iSRA70BV6a
— Ned (@ned7821) December 13, 2016