Los Angeles Lakers: Time to Hit Panic Button After Third Straight Loss?

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost three straight games to the Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers and now the Memphis Grizzlies, and we have to wonder if something is wrong in "LA LA Land."

The Lakers won their second-straight NBA title last season, and after they started this season 8-0, many thought that this team was back and better than ever.

We were thinking "three-peat."

Then Kobe Bryant and company dropped back-to-back games to the Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns, but we can't expect the Lakers to go undefeated.

Five more wins, and we jumped back on the Lakers bandwagon, but then things took a turn for the worse.

So is this three-game losing streak cause for concern, or are we being too hard on the champs?

Let's take a look at both sides of the argument and decide if now is the time to panic.

5. Panic: They're Getting Old

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts to dribble around Andre Miller #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center on November 7, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

We can't talk about the Lakers without addressing the age factor.

The team's youngest starter is 30-year-old Pau Gasol, and time could be taking its toll on the Lakers' veteran roster.

5. Calm Down: They're Built for the Playoffs

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MILWAUKEE - NOVEMBER 16: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves to the basket against Andrew Bogut #6 (L) and John Salmons #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on November 16, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

The NBA is not the NFL.

If a team loses a few (or 30) games during the regular season, they still have a great shot at the playoffs and a championship.

The Lakers (much like the Boston Celtics) are a playoff team.

As long as they do well enough to get to the playoffs (and they will), they will do just fine with plenty of rest between games.

4. Panic: Kobe Bryant Needs Rest

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives around Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on November 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

Phil Jackson has been doing a pretty good job of making sure Kobe Bryant gets the rest he needs, but the Lakers will have to keep this up throughout the season.

Even though Bryant is perfectly capable of carrying this team, he doesn't have to do it every game.

And he needs to stay healthy for later in the season.

4. Calm Down: He's Kobe Bryant

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 11: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers adjusts his jersey as he faces the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 11, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 118-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

At the start of the season, we had our concerns about Bryant's health. Many thought that his knee would be a major setback for the Lakers.

Well, the Lakers are 13-5, and Kobe is averaging 26.7 points per game.

I'd say the "Black Mamba" is doing just fine.

3. Panic: Pau Gasol Can't Do It Alone

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Roy Hibbert #55 and T.J. Ford #5 of the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Staples Center on November 28, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User e

Pau Gasol is probably the most talented big man in the league, but with Andrew Bynum out for a couple more weeks, Gasol has had to pick up the slack by covering at center.

In each of the Lakers' last four games, Gasol has played over 40 minutes per game (42 against Chicago, 45 at Utah, 46 against Indiana and 45 at Memphis), and his health is in serious jeopardy.

Give the man a break!

3. Calm Down: Bynum Will Be Back

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second half with teammate Andrew Bynum #17 while taking on the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, Califor

Andrew Bynum is taking his time returning from his injury, but the good news is that he will be back in the next few weeks.

And even though the Lakers need him, he is taking his time getting healthy.

It might hurt at the moment, but when Bynum does return, he will be 100 percent.

(Note: The photo above is how I picture Pau Gasol's reaction to Bynum's return.)

2. Panic: Competition in the West

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28: Marco Belinelli #8 of the New Orleans Hornets shoots the ball over Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Arena on November 28, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

The Lakers have some serious competition in the Western Conference this season.

The Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Hornets are all having really good seasons so far, and all of these teams could put up a serious fight against the Lakers later in the season.

2. Calm Down: Pacific Division

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 09: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives the ball down the court during the game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Clipp

The good news is that none of those teams are in the Pacific Division with the Lakers.

Even though the Lakers have hit a rough patch, their closest Pacific Division competition is the 8-9 Phoenix Suns.

Better watch out for those Los Angeles Clippers, though!

1. Panic: Tough Road Ahead

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MILWAUKEE - NOVEMBER 16: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free-throw against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on November 16, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Lakers defeated the Bucks 118-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

Perhaps the main factor working against the Lakers this season is their schedule.

Starting next Tuesday, the Lakers will host the Washington Wizards and then go on the road for six straight games (well, seven if you count the "away" game against the Clippers).

1. Calm Down: This Is Barely a Losing Streak

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 11: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a free throw against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 11, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 118-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

Let me clear something up here:

A "losing streak" consists of three games or more.

If a team loses two games in a row, that is not a "losing streak."

So, to say that this is the Lakers' second losing streak of the season is incorrect.

That being said, the Lakers have lost three in a row, but this is the first actual losing streak for this team since March.

And when the Lakers streak, they stop at three losses.

The Verdict: Calm Down

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers laughs as he looks on from the bench against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on November 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

The Lakers may have lost three straight games, but they are far from the worst team in the league. Only a handful of teams in the Western Conference (or in the entire NBA for that matter) have better records than the Lakers, and one tough week does not a season make.

After all, we are talking about the Los Angeles Lakers.