New York Knicks' guard Jeremy Lin (17) and Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant (24) pause as a foul is shot in the third quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York February 10, 2012.
Jeremy Lin will be teaming up with Kobe Bryant in the upcoming 2014/15 NBA Season REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine

Five games in and former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kobe Bryant is preaching patience to the reconstructed Los Angeles Lakers. One of the most storied franchises in NBA history has stumbled out of the gate of the 2014-2015 NBA season by recording the worst start in franchise history. Bryant, who has been always known for his competitive fire is looking at his teammates to show some semblance of a fight and bring the competitive spirit during the whole 48 minutes of the games and he is looking at starting point guard Jeremy Lin to lead the way.

"Lin was being more aggressive and taking shots. I think the biggest thing for him to learn is to play relentlessly," said Bryant via the Los Angeles Times. "The most important thing [for my teammates] is that they understand the relentlessness they have to play with."

Lin took some encouraging efforts in that direction during the Phoenix Suns' loss when he showed his patented dribble drive to his favourite right spot and drew fouls in the fourth quarter. The Harvard standout finished with 18 points in the losing cause including six crucial free throws that kept the team close. Kobe Bryant was still the most influential Laker in the last game by scoring 39 points on 37 shots.

Given the ball dominance of both guards, the team is finding it hard to mesh the offensive talents of both Bryant and Lin. The Black Mamba acknowledges that the team is going through some growing pains and he eggs on his teammates to stay and learn by example. The five-time champion says that he leaves everything out on the floor regardless of the criticism whether it is playing hero ball or taking too many shots.

He imparted that the team cannot have the five losses keep hanging over their head as they could easily turn the five losses around to say five straight wins. The team is having four days off before resuming their season against the Charlotte Hornets at their home turf Sunday. After that game, their grueling schedule dictates that they again face Western Conference powers Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors. With the named teams, the Hornets offer the most optimistic chance of the Lakers to snatch their first win.

It is unclear what effect the motivational challenge Bryant has sent to his teammates will do. The Lakers could face a 0-10 record by next week's end if coach Byron Scott, Bryant and the rest of the Lakers do not play with a sense of urgency in the next few days.