In his prime, Kobe Bryant stood as the best player in the league, taking over games with clutch shots. Now, at 37 years old and enduring season-ending injuries the past three years, Kobe is nowhere near the same player. 

Bryant is still a highly capable scorer, but even he is well aware that his best days are behind him. Which is why Bryant has decided to adopt more of a leadership role with the Lakers this season, taking a step back offensively to help the team's young core of Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson develop.

From ESPN's Baxter Holmes: 

Despite his advanced age and several recent season-ending injuries, the 37-year-old Bryant, now in his 20th season with the Lakers, still enjoys taking over games, or at least trying to, especially when his team is down big, as they have been many times in recent years.

Now, though, Bryant said he’s a changed man. 

“Can’t do it,” he said after Friday’s 132-114 loss to the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. “Got to let them develop.”

"I'm really wanting to let the young guys, especially D'Angelo, let him call the game," Bryant said. "Let him call the game. Let him organize the game. Let him read the game. Let him read the flow. Let him make those decisions.

"Which is part of me taking a step back, which needs to be done. You have to let the young guys make those reads, and you have to be able to help them and support them with those reads."

Bryant is on the last year of his contract and could possibly retire at the end of the season, so this sounds like the right thing for him to do. The Lakers will have to adjust to life without Bryant at some point. And if Bryant can help make this transition smoother for Russell, Randle and Clarkson now rather than later, the Lakers will have a bright future.

Kobe Bryant, the teacher.
Kobe Bryant, the teacher. (USATSI)