Lucas Walker’s game improves on and off the court

He returned to pre-season with his National Basketball League club Melbourne Tigers a fortnight ago.

Walker candidly admits it took a little while to adjust to playing as a Ballarat Miner.

He was shouldering more responsibility on court, building solid minutes.

Importantly, as an experienced player, the 28-year-old was also looked to for leadership amongst a young band of emerging players trying to adapt to the game in the South East Australian Basketball League – and that took him by surprise a little bit.

“The first part of the season, I didn’t feel like I communicated that well with other guys. I was a little harsh and I realise that. I was a little more negative,” Walker said.

“I’ve become a better leader, communicating more effectively ... it’s good to be able to turn that around and use more positive ways of speaking to people.

“A lot of where that came from is (coming from) the NBL, where everything is so structured. There are rules for everything and the skill level is high.

“At times I was frustrated by that ... after a while, I remembered I was one of those 18 or 19-year-old basketballers once too.”

Walker said he felt his communication back in the Tigers’ camp had also become more efficient.

This is Walker’s fifth foray into the SEABL – and his fifth SEABL club.

Walker started as a 17-year-old with the now-defunct Launceston Tigers.

He transferred to NW Tasmania the next season when the Tigers hit financial problems.

A year later he moved to the Australian Institute of Sport, which fielded a team in the league, and then went to college for five years in the United States before suiting up for Dandenong.

It did not take much convincing to play for Ballarat once Walker realised he needed that off-season match fitness to achieve his NBL goals.

“I played against Ballarat for five years and, every time I came up against Ballarat, it was always a strong team,” Walker said.

“I spoke with the coach and felt there were a lot of good players I could fit in well with.”

“It’s been really good. Last year, I went overseas for nine weeks and returned out of shape with injuries I didn’t take care of as well as I should.

“It was a really good idea to stay around and look after myself more.”

Pre-season commitments with the Tigers usually take up a half day with weights and team practice, followed by strength and conditioning work.

As soon as training finishes, Walker is on the road to Ballarat for a Miners’ training session.

Walker has made clear he is keen to return to the Minerdome next year.

In a catch, should Walker’s improved game earn him more minutes in the NBL, he will be classed a restricted player in the SEABL, spots that this year are filled by imports Matt Hanson and Keena Young.

 “I would like to say that’s the only reason I wouldn’t be back, because of the high goals I’ve set myself this season,” Walker said.

  “We’ll see what happens first – plus, the club has to want to have me back.”

The Miners are on the road tonight to meet Albury-Wodonga in a bid to break a 12-game losing streak.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au