It was the end of November 2016. It seemed the angels of Los Angeles had managed to glide under the layer of smog and signal to the city’s residents the franchise which has enjoyed the most success in this place was back in business. The Lakers were 10-10, Luke Walton was installed as head coach and running his young squad the in the ilk of the Golden State Warriors, where he'd spent two years as assistant coach. The Gold and Purple hadn't been at .500 for what seemed an age. Then, over the course of what is always a long and gruelling season, the City of Angels was far less kind. Those little demons, representing not the magic and spirit of the city, but a sugary delight their product deals to all its customers; a quick hit of energy and high performance followed by a drop equivalent to 42 losses in 52 games. Stability was a facet of the championship-winning Lakers taken for granted. On the bench you saw Phil Jackson sitting high in his chair, knees protruding toward the sideline and a coaching excellence far too good for any front office. On the court was number 24, the same Kobe Bryant now to be found talking alongside Little Mamba educating people not about winning titles but 'musecages'. In the front office was Mitch Kupchak, GM and former Laker. The Buss family was known only for greatness and savvy decision-making.