Big Mentor: Walton To Team Up With Lopez?

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Could the former NBA star Bill Walton be in New Jersey helping with the development much like Patrick Ewing and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have been doing with their respective teams?

Buried in the hustle and bustle of the paper, Dave D'Alessandro of The Star-Ledger wrote about Lawrence Frank’s interest Bill Walton as he has pushed Lopez into watching the former UCLA Bruins stars early videos on improving his post defence and offence.

"It's amazing how Walton was always on his toes defensively, and obviously he was a great outlet passer who never rushed," the coach said.

In the article, D'Alessandro asks Frank about the possibility of bringing in Walton to help out the young big. He states that Kiki Vandeweghe and himself have talked about the idea but were not sure Walton had fully healed since his spinal fusion surgery.

"I am ready, willing and able to do this with Mr. Lopez, Kiki, Coach Frank, and the New Jersey Nets," Walton responded in the article.

Though the Nets have just hired assistant coach John Loyer, who worked under Maurice Cheeks in Portland and Philadelphia, there is always room for a teacher of what many consider the future of the Nets.

Walton has little experience with one of one coaching but has been coached by one of the best college coaches ever to coach in John Wooden. Add that with his knowledge he provides in commentary during NBA games and Lopez has a great personal mentor.

The big problem between getting the two sides to meet, it might be money.

While the Nets are in cost cutting mode from players to staff, Walton works for ABC and ESPN broadcasting games. The two sides will have to meet in the middle or Walton will have to go on the cuff and just take pride in the development of Lopez.

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