In one day, 5 1/2 weeks ago, the two people who brought Luke Walton back to the Lakers were gone from their positions. That day general manager Mitch Kupchak was fired and Jim Buss was removed as the Lakers’ executive vice president of basketball operations.
That kind of development might have tested his nerves, except for one fact: Jeanie Buss remained consistent in her support.
“That’s a tough spot to be in when the people who hire you aren’t here anymore,” Walton said.