Five takeaways from Lakers’ loss to Phoenix

The Lakers are two losses from tying their worst start ever. Not impressive. Here are five takeaways from an 0-5 team after its 112-106 loss Tuesday against Phoenix.

1) Kobe Bryant isn’t afraid to shoot. Duh. But he took a lot of shots (37) and missed a lot too (23). He’s putting up nice scoring numbers (27.6 points a game) but shooting 40.2% for the season, more than five percentage points off his career accuracy. Even he has something he could improve.

2) Wow, the Lakers’ defense is just plain sad. Isaiah Thomas and Gerald Green combined for 48 points in 54 minutes. And they’re both reserves.

3) Jeremy Lin showed the assertiveness that Coach Byron Scott had hoped to see. Lin earned 10 free throws (making nine) and finished with 18 points. A good step for him.

4) Nick Young is still at least a few weeks from returning, which is bad news for the Lakers’ reserves. They totaled 17 points. Or, you know, 31 fewer than Green and Thomas.

5) If the Lakers don’t beat Charlotte on Sunday, their free-fall could continue. Their next four games after that: at Memphis, at New Orleans, home against San Antonio and home against Golden State. Don’t see any Lakers victories there.