SAN ANTONIO >> The journey Kobe Bryant traveled has sparked varying emotions.

The Lakers’ 37-year-old star has winced as he fights Father Time. He has frowned as his shots fall short. He has smiled amid the nostalgia over a storied 20-year NBA career.

“I’m genuinely appreciative of it,” Bryant said. “I must’ve done something right through these 20 years.”

The journey D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson traveled have sparked varying emotions, too.

The Lakers’ crop of young players have watched their legendary teammate’s farewell tour in awe. Russell and Randle have weathered frustration amid a diminished role. All three have wondered how they can sync their talents with Bryant’s commanding presence.

“It’s been tough,” Randle said. “We’re trying to balance out how we’re going to play with each other.”

That presents the Lakers (3-19), who play Friday against the San Antonio Spurs (18-5) at AT&T Center, with an issue that no tribute video or farewell speech will address. How do the Lakers nurture Bryant’s attempt to write his last chapter, while preparing for Russell, Randle and Clarkson to write their first?

“You’re trying to balance that as much as possible,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said. “There’s always going to be challenges with that.”

Scott initially provided a heavy workload for Bryant, who is averaging 15.9 points on 30.9 percent shooting. Scott also has had Randle and Russell come off the bench in the last two games despite those players representing the Lakers’ NBA lottery picks in the last two years.

But a potential turning point emerged in the Lakers’ overtime loss to Minnesota on Wednesday. At his own suggestion, Bryant sat after the 3:56 of the third quarter. Russell and Randle then closed the game out, both logging more than 30 minutes and combining for 43 points.

“He’s trying to help these guys as much as possible,” Scott said of Bryant. “That was great on his part to suggest doing something like that.”

But as much as the Lakers gushed about that moment, will this mark a turning point in how they weigh Bryant’s experience and the potential of their young players?

“I don’t know,” Russell said softly.

Even when accounting for Wednesday’s game, Bryant has averaged more playing time (30.9 minutes per game) than Russell (27.6) and Randle (28.3). Scott also suggested he will start duplicating Wednesday’s rotation only until the second half of the season.

“We’ll still continue to develop them,” said Bryant, who argued his young teammates’ learning curve involves defending their opponents more than adjusting to his presence. “Even when I play, I’ll continue to help them and continue to encourage them to stay aggressive.”

But Russell said earlier this week that he still has only called 50 percent of the plays in the past month. He argued he has not received full respect from his teammates on how he runs the offense. Russell also admitted Scott has not given him direct feedback on his development.

“I’m not trying to show him anything,” Russell said of Scott. “I’m trying to show myself and teammates that I belong out there.”

Russell has gushed about Bryant’s mentorship and defended his shot selection. But Russell has conceded, “there’s just more ball movement” when he does not play with Bryant.

That set up varying opinions from around the league on Russell, who has averaged 11.5 points on 40.6 percent shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

Said one NBA executive: “D’Angelo Russell is incredibly gifted. But no one will see him to the fullest extent until the Lakers hand him the ball and let him go.”

Said NBA TV analyst Steve Smith: “You’re not going to be the guy with Kobe there, and rightfully so. D’Angelo has to learn how to be productive without being the guy.”

Clarkson and Randle have figured that out the best.

Clarkson has averaged 15.3 points on 47 percent shooting in 31.5 minutes per game, which exceeds Bryant’s playing time. Like Bryant, Clarkson also attacks the basket. He also has shown assertiveness in waving off Bryant when he calls for the ball.

“We have to make things easier for Kobe,” said Clarkson, who lamented the team’s frequent tendency to feature Bryant in isolation situations. “We can’t necessarily throw it to him automatically. Then he doesn’t have to do his thing.”

And yet …

“Kobe’s been in every situation and we’re all confident he can make his shots,” said Clarkson, who has averaged 15.2 points on 47 percent shooting, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. “Even if he’s more fatigued with his legs, we still have confidence in him.”

So much that Bryant’s teammates have argued he should still maintain his team-leading 17.5 field-goal attempts per game.

“Kobe is an all-time great and he’s here for a reason,” Randle said. “He’s going to do what he’s going to do. Our thing is to control what we can control. Everybody is going to miss shots. You can’t worry about that.”

Instead, Randle is worried about ensuring his own consistency.

He has led the Lakers and the league among second-year players with 10 double-doubles, including six in the past seven games. Though they have wanted Randle to develop a consistent jump shot and a stronger right hand, the Lakers have liked his strength, hustle and playmaking.

“Every game I’m going to grow,” Randle said. “Regardless, I’m going to go out there, compete, play my hardest and learn from it.”

But will the Lakers learn enough how they should balance Bryant’s present, while preparing for their young players’ future? Answers will emerge as Bryant fights Father Time and his teammates fight youth.