Order is restored despite rumors

The Chicago Bulls have been a case study of disorder since the rumors of a Kobe Bryant trade began popping up in the Windy City.

If it wasn’t the “Ko-be” chants at home games, it was forward Luol Deng admitting he was affected by hearing his name mentioned in trade scenarios, real or imagined.

When the Bulls played the Lakers on Sunday, it allowed the mind to wonder if the Lakers’ minds were wandering, given the abundant stories concerning Bryant and a supposed one-way ticket out of town.

Bryant’s teammates have been immune to the tugs and pulls of the rumor mill, other than a brief period in October when Bryant skipped a series of practices and was called out by Coach Phil Jackson for not throwing his “heart and soul into performing on the floor.”

“They were affected by it,” Jackson said. “It was difficult for them. We just talked to them about being professional and doing their jobs and learning that things in this game sometimes happen that are beyond their control.”

Jackson said there was confusion, in addition to Kwame Brown’s acknowledgment a month ago that “we didn’t know what was going on.”

“I think that the insecurity [was] not of a trade so much as of the lack of affection or lack of interest that Kobe had for a period of time . . . for five days or so,” Jackson said. “They went through a little lull -- is he with us or is he not?”

If the final indicator of a team’s strength is its record, the Lakers seem to be moving forward, improving to 6-3 with a 106-78 victory over the Bulls.

Jackson said he had no doubt Bryant would recover in time for the regular season after racking up turnovers and missed shots with amazing speed during exhibition play.

“He steps up to challenges,” Jackson said. “He’s very similar to what I would consider [how] Michael [Jordan] would step into challenges in his career.”

Forward Luke Walton broke out of a rut that began Nov. 9 with a six-turnover game against Minnesota, and continued with a two-for-seven shooting effort against San Antonio and consecutive two-point outings against Houston and Detroit.

Walton had 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and one turnover against Chicago.

“A little of it is physical, a little of it is mental -- a different role coming off the bench,” Jackson said.

Walton, who sustained a slightly sprained ankle Wednesday against Houston, was moved to reserve status when Lamar Odom returned to the lineup against Minnesota.

Forward Ronny Turiaf sat out a second game because of a sprained left ankle but could return Tuesday against Indiana. “I think today I was about 79 1/2 %,” Turiaf said. “An extra day of rest shouldn’t hurt at all.”

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com