SALT LAKE CITY >> The routine during Kobe Bryant’s final season has become as customary as one of his video tributes.

Bryant will talk with an opposing team’s star. Bryant will share endless advice. That player will gush about the impact Bryant has made on his career.

That mentorship has also carried into the coaching ranks. Bryant said he became “extremely close” with Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder when he was an assistant under former Lakers coach Mike Brown during the 2011-12 season. Then, Snyder left Bryant a lasting impression because of one simple approach.

“I felt like I could learn from him and was honest about that,” Snyder said before the Lakers’ 123-75 loss to the Jazz on Monday at Vivint Smart Home Arena. “I also felt I knew a little bit about what was going on. He respected the fact I was hungry to learn and also understood a little bit about the game.”

Bryant described Snyder, former Lakers assistant Ettore Messina and himself as “basketball nerds.” Snyder asked Bryant questions about the triangle offense he learned from former Lakers coach Phil Jackson and assistant Tex Winter. Bryant and Snyder also shared ideas about pick-and-roll coverages.

“We went over things, sequences of options and defensive schematics and we just talk. He’s brilliant,” Bryant said. “We had a great time. He’s a great,great coach.”

Hence, Bryant told Snyder he ran “a hell of a play” on Monday during a series of misdirections designed to bait Bryant into switching off of Utah guard Rodney Hood. Snyder had prided himself on running plays that caught Bryant by surprise both when he coached for and against him.

Too bad Bryant did not bite, holding Hood scoreless in the second half after he posted 30 points on 11-of-13 shooting in the first.

“I told him, ‘There’s nothing you can surprise me with Q. I understand conceptually what you’re doing,’” Bryant said. “‘My focus is Hood. I’m not leaving him. I’m stuck to him.’”

Bryant and Snyder became stuck to each other during their lone season with the Lakers. Then, Snyder categorized his dynamic with Bryant as a collaborative effort that produced honest and constructive exchanges.

“There is no insecurity about being wrong or having a different view,” Snyder said. “If you believe what you feel, you try to articulate it and you can change his mind or he can change your mind. That was the good dialogue for me. That was a challenge as a coach.”

Yet, Snyder strongly dismissed Bryant sharing the same enthusiasm in joining his staff following his retirement.

“I used to joke with him about coaching and he said never,” Snyder said. “He’s got a lot better things to do.”

Bryant has founded his own company. He has expressed interest in storytelling through digital media and documentaries. Bryant also has invested in a sports energy drink (Body Armor) and a sports website (Players Tribune). “He’ll approach whatever endeavor he chooses with the same passion, creativity and force that he plays basketball,” Snyder said. “That was something more than his talent that I respected and appreciated.”

Snyder did not sound as enthused he will be part of Bryant’s final chapter in the Lakers season finale against Utah on April 13.

“I wish we weren’t the team that played him,” Snyder said. “There’s an unbelievable level of respect and appreciation. But you also know everyone wants to win every game. That’s a tough game with all the emotion.”

Injury update

Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. sat out Monday’s game as the team’s strategy to preserve his sore right knee on back-to-backs. Lakers forward Nick Young stayed in Los Angeles on Monday because of what the team attributed to a stomach bug. He has missed the past nine games, seven of which were healthy scratches.

Memory lane

With Bryant competing against players almost half his age, he remembered all too well what it was like to be them. On March 23, 2003, Bryant played Michael Jordan during his final season of his 15-year NBA career, and he hardly allowed his idol to end with bragging rights. After Jordan received a farewell, Bryant dropped 55 points on a 15-of-29 clip while Jordan had 23 points.

“It was a celebration of Michael and being able to compete against him,” Bryant said. “The best way to show my respect was to compete hard against him.”