Kobe Bryant in 2014 Preseason
Oct 21, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives against Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the fourth quarter at Honda Center. Reuters

To say that the Los Angeles Lakers are struggling out of the gate is an understatement. The team has lost by 18, 20, 7 and 23 points to Western Conference juggernauts Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors. This early, defence is the major Achilles heel of the team given that all of the four teams that crushed them have posted over 100-plus points.

With the competitive nature of Kobe Bryant, it is understandable that the five-time champion will be anxious and demanding during the rebuilding phase. There are even some speculations that Bryant will soon be demanding a trade to a contender to milk out the final years of competitive play. The Lakers starting shooting guard quashed all the rumours during an interview with Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears.

"I hear the chatter of Kobe should ask out and he should go and play for a contender in this latter stage of his career," Bryant told Yahoo Sports. "But that's not what I do. I'm extremely loyal to the Lakers."

The loyalty of the former MVP will be tested as the schedule of the Lakers does not get any easier as the next three games are against playoff-type squads such as the Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets and the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers are already aching from the loss of key players namely, Steve Nash (back) and rookie lottery pick Julius Randle (leg). It also does not help that new acquisitions Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin are struggling to find their footing in the new scheme provided by coach Byron Scott.

Bryant relayed that despite the early struggles the team should not be discouraged by the results given that it is a long season and the whole team should always be looking on new ways to improve. Bryant also was nostalgic of the heydays of the Lakers and vowed that he will stick with the only team he played for through thick and thin. Given that this would be the final two years of Bryant and at a hefty salary tag of $23 to $25 million a year, it would be hard to imagine a trade wherein the team will improve or get fairer value. In the meantime, the man who bleed purple and gold is here to stay for good.