Luke Walton never had a chance with the dysfunctional mess known as the Lakers

This day was coming the moment word got out that Magic Johnson delivered a tongue lashing to Luke Walton about his coaching methods weeks into the season: Walton would eventually be dismissed as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Everything that's happened since hasn't been as much confirmation as it has been shrubbery around the main course, from the confusing to the bizarre to the unfortunate circumstances that have plagued the NBA's most glamorous franchise in a season that was supposed to be a revival. What we've found out, layer by layer, is the franchise appears restrained by self-made standards, complexities that would be hard for any first-time head coach to navigate.