How do Lakers balance Kobe farewell tour with young players?

It was a loss, like everything else this season, 123-122 in overtime to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but D’Angelo Russell had 23 points and Julius Randle had 20 points and 12 rebounds two days after they lost their starting jobs.

What made the game even more exciting to watch was seeing Bryant going wild on the bench, cheering on the youngsters as they finally got the opportunity to lead the charge and beaming like a proud father after Russell hit the overtime-forcing shot.

ABOUT THE SPURS (18-5): San Antonio is hoping small forward Kawhi Leonard will be back to full strength after a Philly cheesesteak sandwich prompted a bout of gastroenteritis. The finish to the Wolves game was one of the most exciting nights to this point in the Lakers’ 2015-16 season.

The Lakers weren’t able to hang on in overtime, but that’s irrelevant.

It was reminiscent of a game a year ago against the Knicks when he scored 37 points despite breaking a bone in his hand in the first quarter. Russell yelled out the requisite “Kobe!” that you can hear on any playground in America, and proceeded to do a pretty solid imitation of the Lakers legend.

As Bryant’s careers flourished, primarily playing as Guard for the Lakers, he achieved many accolades including five NBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, and 17 NBA All-Star game appearances.

“‘Coach, let them go, ‘” Scott recalled Bryant saying. “He’s just one of those great global ambassadors of the National Basketball Association”.

The latter part of his career was blighted by injuries, with Kobe suffering a torn Achilles tendon in April 2013, followed by a devastating knee fracturing just six games into the 2013-14 season.

It was frustrating enough that Kobe had carte blanche to fire at will, regardless of how many cringe-worthy airballs he hoisted, while the kids stood in the corner, attempting to learn through watching but not doing. For the first time since Bryant went public with his decision to end his career at season’s end, he may well be treated like a villain in enemy territory.

“I’ve made plenty of them, missed plenty of them too”, Bryant said he told Russell.

Jordan Clarkson (sprained right ankle) is questionable. Randle had a big moment of his own in OT, using a quick spin to leave Wiggins in his dust and get his team a much needed basket.

“Every game I’m going to grow”, Randle said. “It’s hard for us to imagine as players in today’s game what it must’ve been like for him to go through the difficulties he faced personally and professionally”.

But Minneapolis has always had a special affection for Bryant and the Lakers.

Last night, Kobe didn’t really do anything of the sort as he voluntarily just sat down on the Lakers bench allowing the younger Lakers to learn through playing critical minutes without him.