Lakers’ Week 2 in review

The Lakers finished Week 2 with their first win of the season, defeating the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on Sunday, 107-92.

After the Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, 112-106, L.A.’s 0-5 record prompted TNT analyst Charles Barkley to declare a hunger strike until the team finally gets a win on the board. Fortunately for the fans at Staples Center, and Barkley, the Lakers played one of their best games of the season Sunday.

Defense has been an issue for the team, with Coach Byron Scott urging his players to get their guard up. The Lakers also have relied too heavily on All-Star Kobe Bryant, losing to the Suns despite 39 points from the veteran guard.

Bryant was frustrated by the Lakers’ poor record, asking his teammates to play “relentlessly.” Would the end of Bryant’s career emulate that of Michael Jordan, in his final seasons playing for the Washington Wizards?

Before beating the Hornets, the Lakers had the worst record in the league, tied with the Philadelphia 76ers, not the side of history the team would like to be on.

The Lakers’ legendary 1971-72 championship team was featured in a documentary -- the type of history the franchise has enjoyed for many, many decades.

Meanwhile, injured point guard Steve Nash shared a video of himself hitting a golf ball, which rankled fans who didn’t understand how he could golf but not play basketball with his bad back. Nash went to Facebook to open up about his injuries and the golf clip.

Nash also put his Arizona home on the market at $4.15 million.

Meanwhile, injured rookie power forward Julius Randle credited Bryant with helping him deal with his season-ending broken leg. Ryan Kelly, who took some off-season MMA training, has been sidelined with a sore hamstring.

Small forward Wesley Johnson had vowed to be a new Wesley Johnson on Sunday against the Hornets, but any improved effort wasn’t especially evident in the box score. Johnson was right in suggesting better days are ahead for the Lakers -- at least for one night as the team ended its losing streak.

Finally, former Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni is still looking for coaching opportunities.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.