NBA Q&A: Luke Walton

Courtesy of Mary Schmitt Boyer

Q: What was the best part about being a Laker?

A: The Lakers are like the Yankees. You're playing for an organization that's like, if you grew up a basketball fan like I did, you feel honored and privileged every time you go out on the court with those uniforms on. You've got Magic at the games. It's a pretty surreal feeling out there.

Q: Besides your family and friends, what to you miss most about L.A.? Sitting in traffic?

A: I don't miss that. (Laughs.) I don't miss that. We don't have traffic in Cleveland. It's beautiful. I strategically lived where I did in L.A. so I didn't sit in traffic. ... I guess, the weather maybe. I grew up in San Diego, went to school in Tucson. I'm used to the sunshine. But the people are what makes a place home, and that's where my family is.

Q: Were you a Lakers fan growing up?

A: Celtics fan, diehard. Larry Bird was my guy. Then the Lakers drafted me. I tore up all my Celtics stuff and put on my Lakers gear.

Q: Your dad, Bill Walton, is writing a memoir. Does that make you nervous?

A: It should make me nervous, but I know my dad. He wouldn't say anything too crazy. About himself, maybe. I'm not nervous for myself. They tried to pitch us on a reality show once, and my dad shot that down. He said, "'We don't want people knowing what's going on."

Q: So you don't need to ask him to leave stuff about you out?

A: I don't need to worry about myself. He might incriminate himself a little bit, but I think I'll be in the clear.