Luke Walton Joins Memphis Staff: 5 More NBA Stars We'd Love To See Coach

Luke Walton is joining Josh Pastner's coaching staff at the University of Memphis during the NBA lockout.

Walton and Pastner first crossed paths at the University of Arizona, where both played and Pastner was an assistant coach.

As long as they are not "open for business" in the Association, Walton will bring his high basketball IQ and wealth of professional hoops experience to the college sideline.

Here is a quick list of five other NBA players who could do a great job of passing on their knowledge and love of the game, helping develop some of the future stars that we might someday see compete for an NBA title.

5. Dwight Howard

Who wouldn't want Superman on the sidelines?

Dwight Howard is a five-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA team selection, a four-time All-Defensive member and three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

He has been ranked consistently as one of the best in the league in rebounds, blocks, field-goal percentage and free-throw attempts.

If I had to teach someone how to control the paint and dominate the middle, Dwight Howard would be my man!

4. Kevin Love

No one would do a better job of teaching the ins and outs of boxing out and boards than Kevin Love.

He knows how to put a body on someone and keep them from getting to the glass.

He also knows how to go strong after the ball and then snap off a good outlet pass.

Many people questioned Love's decision to leave UCLA early for the NBA.

Nobody is wondering now.

This past season, Love led the NBA in rebounding, averaging 15.2 per game, with an unbelievable 64 double-doubles.

3. Chris Paul

If I had a group of young bucks, who needed to find out how to do it all, I would love to have one of two players on my sideline.

The first one is Chris Paul.

Paul is the only player in NBA history to lead the league in assists and steals in consecutive seasons (2007-08 and 2008-09).

He was the 2006 Rookie of the Year and has been All-NBA and All-Defensive team in three of the last four years.

Paul (9.9 assists per game) only trails Magic Johnson and John Stockton in career assists per game average.

During this past season, Gary Payton, an exceptional NBA guard, called Paul "the best point guard in the game right now."

2. Steve Nash

The other player that would be perfect to teach others how to run the show (besides CP3) is Steve Nash.

Nash is a seven-time NBA All-Star and was selected in back-to-back years as the NBA MVP.

He is a triple-threat in terms of playmaking, ball-handling and shooting the lights out.

He has led the league in assists five times (2004-2007, 2009-11).

While Nash has never led the league in scoring, he has averaged double figures in scoring for the last 12 seasons in a row.

Nash's ability to see the court, see the open teammate and get them the ball in scoring position is amazing. 

1. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is both a great talent and a great leader.

He is a complete player. Over his career, his game has had virtually no holes in it.

He's won rings (four NBA Championships) and MVPs (three finals, two seasons).

Duncan is a 13-time NBA All-Star and the only player in league history to be selected both All-NBA and All-Defensive teams during each of his first 13 seasons.

He has scored truckloads of points (over 21,000) and pulled down a ton of boards (over 12,000).

Who else would be better to teach and coach up-and-coming players than "The Big Fundamental?"

On top of it all, Tim Duncan could give a "Stay in School" speech and have a little credibility.

After staying at Wake Forest all four years, I think he could address the subject. Now that I think of it, Nash could pull this speech off too.