Kobe Bryant is very eager to show that he still has what it takes to compete at a high level, but the superstar admitted that his role with the Los Angeles Lakers is now very different.
Bryant said in an interview with ESPN Los Angeles that he has embraced his role as a leader and mentor to the young Lakers squad unlike before when the team has a lot of veterans that could take that kind of role.
"My style is a little different with his group. It's a little more nurturing," Bryant said. "They're so much younger, so it's a little different. The important thing with this group is learning how to think the game all the way through, which is different than on teams that we have had in the past. We had a lot of veteran guys who had been around."
First-year Lakers coach Byron Scott has also noticed the big change in Bryant's demeanor, saying that the 36-year-old superstar has been very patient in teaching their young guys, particularly their rookies and second-year players.
The 18-year veteran, who will look to bounce back in the upcoming season after playing in just six games last year due to a knee injury, was even seen talking to teammates during timeouts in their preseason matches instead of Scott.
"He's been a mentor," Scott said. "He's been a little bit of an assistant coach. I think he's getting soft in his old age. But seriously, he's been really good with all the guys, to be honest with you. He's done a heck of a job of taking guys to the side and teaching them little things about the NBA."
Aside from teaching their rookies and second-year players, reports also revealed that Bryant has taken new Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin under his wings with the 26-year-old point guard saying that the 16-time All-Star has been demanding a lot from him in training camp.
"He's pushing me and he's demanding a lot from me," Lin said. "He's definitely taken on a mentorship role for me on the court. That's something that I don't think I've had in my previous four years in the league. It's just nice to have somebody who is pushing me and helping me and teaching me the tricks. It's also nice when he's one of the best to ever do it."
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