Luke feeling better.

huevonkiller · Apr 30, 2009

Walton “Absolutely” Expected to Play

On his way out of the practice facility, we caught up with Luke Walton to see how his ankle is feeling almost a week after he partially tore the deltoid ligament in his left ankle.

“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “I’m excited with how well my ankle’s responding and how much better it feels from day-to-day*.”

(*Listen for yourself with the audio at the bottom of this post.)

You did hear the word “absolutely” in there, though a specific date is (as always) not available. Nonetheless, Phil Jackson weighed in on Walton’s situation with this post-practice comment: “He’s happy with (his progress). Luke looks like he’s going to be a player who’s going to play in this next series, for sure.”

It was good ankle news all around in El Segundo, as Trevor Ariza called his a non issue, while even Sun Yue seemed fully recovered from his ankle sprain from a few weeks back.

Meanwhile, the Lakers will take Friday off, and resume practice on Saturday.
Click to expand...

http://my.lakers.com/blogs/

huevonkiller · Apr 30, 2009

Ankles updates: Walton much better, Ariza fine, Sun competing
posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM

EL SEGUNDO — Luke Walton has sold Phil Jackson that Walton returning to action in the next round is a lock.

“Luke looks like he’s going to be a player who’s going to play in this next series, for sure,” Jackson said after Walton’s injured left ankle held up for some core-exercise work.

Trevor Ariza, Walton’s time-share partner at small forward in many games, called his sprained right ankle totally fine — although you could still see the high ankle tape job under his sock. Ariza looked fine for his practice-ending shooting contest against Sasha Vujacic and Sun Yue.

Yes, Sun Yue! His sprained left ankle has healed enough that he can compete on the practice court — and he took Vujacic to overtime in this contest, missing a potential winner from the corner when Vujacic couldn’t help himself in fake-throwing a ball in the air as distraction.
Click to expand...

http://lakers.freedomblogging.com/2...n-much-better-ariza-fine-sun-competing/16017/

Mamba · Apr 30, 2009

Luke is slow with two good feet. He'll be eaten ALIVE with one bad wheel.

Shapecity · May 1, 2009

Knowing PJax he's going to match Luke up against Carl Landry.

igotask8board · May 2, 2009

Walton's absolutely expected to play.

Lost One · May 3, 2009

Luke is a beast. Probably the highest bball IQ player in the league.

Phil is happy. I know he gets antsy whenever he doesn't get a chance to put his pet out there to play. So little bball IQ on the court is not acceptable for HOF coach Phil Jackson.

huevonkiller · May 3, 2009

Chat he had today.

Geir (Italy): Luke, how hard is it to sit on the bench not being able to contribute on the court? When will you be able to return?

Luke Walton: It's one of the hardest things to do. When you play basketball as a profession and train everyday, to not be able to be with your guys in the playoffs is extremely hard.

It makes it easier when the team does play well. I'm hoping to be back if not tomorrow's game, then Game 2 on Wednesday.

Glenda (Davao City, Phils.): Now that you guys advanced to the 2nd round, and the rest of the people expecting that the LAKERS will be champion this season, how will the team handle the pressure?

Luke Walton: I think we're more focused on winning a championship and our goals at hand to be worried about the pressure. We've had players and coaches who have been there before, so they keep us loose and focused. P.J. keeps us in the moment and worried about the final result and making sure that doesn't get into people's head. And when you have fun you don't even think about the pressure.

Justin Behling (Boyceville, WI): What are the keys to beating the Houston Rockets?

Luke Walton: No. 1 is winning the rebounding battle. They've got a physical team that hits the glass hard, so we need to win that matchup.

They're also a solid defensive team, so we need to work the triangle to get open shots instead of taking isolation on people.

Justin Behling (Boyceville, WI): Hey Luke, how fun is it to play with Kobe Bryant?

Luke Walton: It's great. He's one of the greatest players of all time. He's won titles before.

He's someone you love to go into war with because of his ability, skill level and confidence. You know you have the best closer in the game, so it's great playing with him.

Kody: Memphis Tn: Ok Luke, I want an NBA player's opinion. Who would you say is the most "Jordan esque" player in the game today? Dwade maybe?

Luke Walton: I think Kobe is the most similar to Jordan., Their games are a lot alike and their clutch performance are a lot alike. So if I had to pick one, I'd go with Kobe.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama): Luke, Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Luke Walton: I have a pre-game routine, but I'm not superstitious about putting socks on the same foot everyday. But I have a routine to get nice and loose before the game. But no rituals.

Steven (NJ): What is your favorite moment of your career?

Luke Walton: Playing in the NBA is great. Day 1 of being drafted is one of the best days of my life. And playing in the Finals as a rookie is unbelievable. Going through the Finals with Kobe, Shaq and those guys.

But until we win a title, there's a lot of things that are tied.

Vincent: (Los Angeles): Who is the funniest guy in the Lakers locker room?

Luke Walton: Lamar Odom. I don't know if it's because he's from NY, but he' always keeping the atmosphere light and talking trash. Definitely Lamar Odom.

Steven (NJ): Has your dad given you tips throughout your life as a pro?

Luke Walton: He's giving me more general advice. Nothing in particular that coaches or others in the game haven't said. It's basketball. It's all about how you do the stuff right.

Matt (Atlanta, GA): Do you think you had an edge growing up since your father played in the NBA?

Luke Walton: Not really. Obviously I grew up around basketball. Io loved watching the old Lakers and Celtics game. I imagined myself as those guys in the backyard. But most guys in the league didn't grow up with that. It was fun, but getting to the NBA was a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve a goal. But I don't think it gave me an advantage over anyone else.

ted (houston): who the mvp

Luke Walton: Kobe. I see what he does day-to-day. Sacrificing his stats to make the team better. My vote goes to Kobe.

bobby dicrecchio (philadelphia): WHAT WAS UR FAVORITE NBA PLAYOFF MOMENT FROM THIS YEAR

Luke Walton: Probably that Boston-Chicago series. As a basketball fan and player, that was fun to watch.

JP: (San Gabriel, CA): Luke, Do you think Andrew Bynum is going to bounce back strong in the Houston series?

Luke Walton: Yeah, he's going to be huge for us. He never really got into a rhythm because he was in foul trouble a lot. But I think having more time and practicing more, he's going to be huge for us in the rest of the playoffs.
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http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=26307

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