Luke Walton wins coach of month despite official 0-0 record

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2015, file photo, Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton smiles in the first quarter during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, in Phoenix. Walton has the Warriors off to record start even if he doesn't get official credit for it. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File) FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2015, file photo, Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton smiles in the first quarter during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, in Phoenix. Walton has the Warriors off to record start even if he doesn't get official credit for it. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

By Associated Press December 1, 2015 4 min read

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Luke Walton has more NBA coach of the month awards than official wins.

The Golden State Warriors interim coach was named the top coach in the Western Conference for October and November on Tuesday after leading the team to a record 19-0 start in place of injured Steve Kerr.

While the NBA issued a statement earlier in the day reiterating that Kerr remains the head coach of record for Golden State, the league said Walton was eligible for the monthly award.

Kerr has been sidelined since training camp because of complications from offseason back surgery. There is no timeline for his return but the defending champion Warriors have hardly missed a beat under Walton.

Walton’s success as a coach comes as little surprise to those who played with him. Former Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant saw this in Walton when he was sidelined late in his career by a back injury and brought into the coaching circle by Phil Jackson.