Walton In Fight For Job With the Lakers, Thursday, October 2, 2003, Steve Rivera, Tucson Citizen
<br><br>
Veterans George and Russell will vie with the ex-UA star for a spot in the forward rotation.
<br><br>
Former Arizona basketball star Luke Walton will face a media onslaught concerning Kobe Bryant, but his toughest job will be competing for a spot in the Los Angeles Lakers' rotation. 
<br><br>
Bryant, who faces sexual assault charges in Colorado, and the rest of the Lakers will begin practice tomorrow at their training camp in Honolulu. Head coach Phil Jackson said he already is teaching the players how "to dodge questions." 
<br><br>
"I don't think it's going to affect us," Walton said about the Bryant situation in a telephone interview. "There's a lot of good people around here." 
<br><br>
And plenty of talented people, too. The 6-foot-8 Walton is vying for a spot in the forward rotation, going against Devean George and Bryon Russell, who was signed yesterday by the Lakers.
<br><br>
George, a 6-8 four-year pro, averaged 6.9 points and four rebounds last season for Los Angeles. The 6-7 Russell has a career average of 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds in nine years with Utah and last season with Washington. 
<br><br>
"I'm definitely fighting" for a job, Walton said. "I'm going to do everything I can." 
<br><br>
Walton signed with the Lakers over the summer after the team selected him in the second round (32nd pick) in the June draft. He played on the team's summer league squad.
<br><br>
"It's a good atmosphere, just like it was at UA," Walton said about the Lakers.