Kobe Bryant is averaging 25 points a game, his lowest output since 2003-04.

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Lakers lose, fans panic, Lakers win ... L.A.'s cycle of life

LOS ANGELES -- So apparently Ron Artest chirped at Phil Jackson one day at practice, and this was supposed to be a sign of mounting Laker troubles. Then the losses came, and Matt Barnes got hurt and Lamar Odom went all reality TV.

Laker troubles. That's a good one.
Just maybe the Lakers have waded through deeper waters before. They've won 11 times in the last 14 games, ever since four consecutive losses in late-December came with the reminder that no Jackson team has ever lost four in a row and won the crown. But, then, the storied franchise and its coach have always been about the unconventional, so there's no reason a short losing streak should signal doom.

Things were just too un-Laker like before. It was too quiet. Back-to-back titles, Bryant coming off knee surgery, Odom returning from a starring role as the United States won the world championships, Jackson mostly indicating this would be the final season of the legendary career ... and, hey, look over there, everyone! It's the Heat!
In a rare calm, undercover moment on the other side of the continent, the Lakers smiled politely through camp, lowered expectations in the preseason, then so impressively bolted from the gate that it was easy to find short-sighted people wanting to compare the 2010-11 squad with the greatest in franchise history. At least players stayed grounded, noting the soft schedule as part of the 13-2 start.
Theirs was still a simple life as late as the second full week of December, even with the four-game losing streak already on the scales. Andrew Bynum had returned from a knee injury and was quickly providing a defensive boost, Bryant, Odom and Pau Gasol were generally playing well, and the 21-7 mark projected to 62-20, or a better regular season than two of the three previous campaigns that ended with Finals appearances. The pressing problem was the rise of the Spurs and Mavericks. The Lakers themselves were outwardly fine.

Then came the holidays. Bucks 98, Lakers 79 followed by Heat 96, Lakers 80 on Christmas followed by Spurs 97, Lakers 82. Bryant called out teammates for playing with a lack of urgency. Artest and Jackson had words in a practice. Early in the new year, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban jabbed Jackson as a "boy toy," and a day later it was announced that Odom and wife Khloe Kardashian would star in a show on the E! network. A few days after that, Barnes tore cartilage in his right knee and needed surgery.
That's more like it!
In what was either a related development or an amazing coincidence, after a 15-point loss to San Antonio on Dec. 28, the wins followed, including one stretch of seven straight. It was as if the Lakers needed zany again to be in their true comfort zone.
"You need adversity," said guard Derek Fisher, one of the team's emotional leaders. "You need ups and downs. That's really where true growth takes place, during struggles and adverse situations. After tough losses or a bad stretch, you're forced to look in the mirror. You have to question some things. Are we doing the right things offensively and defensively? Without that, you never ask yourself those tough questions."

The Lakers had the same late-December malaise last season, and that turned out pretty well. Through all the supposed problems, through all the griping around them and the ridiculously quick moves to write them off, they're in second place in the West, six games behind the Spurs.
They have another telling eight-game stretch ahead, starting Tuesday night against Utah. The stretch includes another meeting with San Antonio, two with the Celtics in Finals rematches (Sunday at Staples Center and Feb. 10 at Boston) and one with the Hornets and Jazz.
Time to panic? Whatever, it's business as usual for the Lakers

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