NBA Panic Meter: 10 Teams To Monitor

Nov 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) goes past Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) to the basket in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Lakers won 107-92. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

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November 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts after fouling Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11, not pictured) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 127-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Lakers (1-5)

The good news? The Lakers got their first win of the season last night. The bad news? They’re still 1-5 and are giving up a league-worst 112.7 points per game. Kobe Bryant chasing individual records is the only thing Lakers fans have to look forward to this season, especially after Steve Nash AND rookie Julius Randle went down with season-ending injuries. The short-term and long-term future of this franchise has never been more undeniably grim.

Panic Meter: 24 (*post-Apocalyptic silence*)

The good news is if the Lakers finish with one of the worst records in the league, they’ll most likely keep the top-five protected pick they owe the Phoenix Suns. And that’s pretty much where the good news stops. This team can’t defend and even watching the Black Mamba come back unchanged has lost its vigor given how depressing the state of the franchise has become.

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