One-on-One with Luke Walton

Posted: June 18, 2003

The Phoenix Suns welcomed University of Arizona product Luke Walton in for a pre-draft workout on Wednesday. The 6-8 forward – one of only three players in the history of the Pac-10 to total 1,000 career points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists – spoke with reporters following the morning practice and talked about his draft stock, his skills and his Hall-of-Fame father, Bill Walton. The following is a transcript of that media availability session.

Question: How did the workout go?

Luke Walton: It went pretty well. We just did a lot one-on-one, two-on-two stuff, but it was a good workout, got a good sweat going. A lot of workouts are the same.

Question: Many publications have your stock in the draft going up. Do you feel that way?

Walton: I don’t know. It’s hard to tell. You hear so much different stuff that I’m at the same place I was before, where I’m just going to do the workouts and hopefully teams will like me.

Question: Is it tough to tune all of the predictions and mock drafts out?

Walton: Not really. I don’t think anyone really knows where anyone’s going besides the top couple of picks. I try not to worry about it. All the mock drafts are just a waste of time

Question: What would it be like for you if the Suns drafted you and you got to stay in Arizona?

Walton: It would be great to stay in Arizona. I don’t know how interested they are in me. They brought me to a workout so that’s good. I would love to play here.

Question: Are you concerned about whether you would be more suited for the three or four position?

Walton: I think that teams have had concerns like that, but I think if I go on the court I can prove that I can hang at either position and cause difficulties on the opposite end with both positions. I’m not too worried about that once I get on a team.

Question: Would you say that passing and moving without the ball are your strengths?

Walton: Those and the court sense, just being out there on the court making plays and stuff like that.

Question: Do you prefer the three or the four and do you think your talents suit one of the other better in the NBA game?

Walton: Not really. I like both of them. I like banging inside. I like being outside and making plays. I really don’t have a preference for either one.

Question: Is your ability to hit shots going to be the key?

Walton: Definitely. That’s what I’ve been working on every day. It’s hard to work on it when you’re doing these workouts every other day in different cities. Before this and on my off days, that’s the main thing I’m concentrating on.

Question: What kind of advice has your dad given you during this whole workout process?

Walton: He just told me to enjoy this whole thing. He said not very many people get this opportunity and you really don’t have any say in where you go. You just have to play hard and enjoy what’s going on.

Question: How much did playing for Lute Olson and Arizona prepare you for the NBA?

Walton: A lot. He’s one of the main reasons that I think I’m at this level that I’m at right now, developing as a player and a person. At U of A, it was the greatest place I could have been for my years there and I give a lot of credit to the whole coaching staff out there.

Question: Will being in school for four years help you out in the NBA?

Walton: Yeah, definitely. I’m not one of those players that comes in as athletic as everybody or as strong as everyone, so I kind of think I needed the time to grow as a person and mature physically off the court and on the court.

Question: How important is it for you to remain free from injury right now?

Walton: It’s real important. I’ve got to prove that I’m healthy, that I’m able to play at this next level, the elite level in all of basketball. It’s a real important time. I’m just trying to get on a team. I think once I get on a team I’ll be able to show I can play.

Question: Are you 100 percent now physically?

Walton: Yeah. My body feels great. I’ve got to be with the amount of traveling and playing every day that I’m doing. You’ve got to be feeling great to do it all.

Question: Have you been receiving positive feedback from the workouts so far?

Walton: For the most part it’s been good. I don’t hear too much. I have my agent call the programs and he gets the scoop and he’s telling me they’re hearing good things. Hopefully it will work out.

Question: Does your dad get the scoop on how you are doing too, being involved in the league?

Walton: Yeah, but I don’t think he’s been out there asking too much. He’s been real busy lately. He kind of leaves this whole process in my hands and he’s letting me handle it.

Question: How many teams have you been working out for?

Walton: Boston twice. New Jersey, Chicago, the Lakers, here and I fly to Indiana tonight.

Question: How does the pressure of playing in big college games compare to working out for the NBA’s top brass across the country?

Walton: It’s different. It’s easier when you’re out there playing. You don’t really think about anything, you’re just playing your game. When you’re out here doing shooting drills and they’re all watching you, you kind of feel the pressure on all your shots. It’s nothing I can’t handle.

Question: Have you knocked down your shot consistently during the workout process?

Walton: It was feeling a lot better earlier in the workouts. Like I said, I haven’t really had the time to keep working on it, but it felt good today and it’s coming around.

Question: What are your earliest memories of the NBA when your dad was playing?

Walton: The Celtics. Hanging out in the practice facilities, going on the busses and stuff like that until they kicked us all out (laughs). Those were my earliest memories. All the guys, McHale, Bird, they used to mess with us all the time; make us go do stuff to get in trouble. But they were all great to us.

Question: What was it like to go back there to work out with the prospect of possibly playing there?

Walton: It was a lot of fun. My family was excited. I was getting calls from other old Celtics people. Scott Wedman and his wife called, and they were all excited, so it was really fun.

Question: You said earlier the Suns only have the 17th pick and yet they’re bringing you in. What does that tell you?

Walton: I have no idea (laughs). Any team that wants to bring me in and work me out, I’m a basketball player, that’s what I love to do. Anyone calls, I’ll go in and play and work out for them. As far as knowing how much they liked me, I’ve got no idea.

Question: Where have you been working out?

Walton: I’ve been going non-stop since the pre-draft camp. Before that I was up in Vancouver with Luke Ridnour.

Question: Did you grow up dreaming of playing in the NBA like your dad?

Walton: Definitely. Ever since I was little that’s all I’ve been dreaming about.