A city filled with pleasant weather and lush beaches might appear as a warm welcome. The instant fame in the entertainment capital of the world might become enticing. The Lakers’ steep championship history might seem inspiring.

But when the Lakers’ draft their No. 2 pick on June 25, that college prospect will experience something that could become both equally helpful and challenging in his NBA development.

He will play with Kobe Bryant.

“He’s never been great with rookies,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said of Bryant. “Rookies have come to expect Kobe’s glare, Kobe ignoring him in the locker room and saying things.”

Bryant has said many things, regardless of his teammates’ experience. Bryant clashed with Shaquille O’Neal over his conditioning and Dwight Howard over his dedication. Bryant belittled Smush Parker and Kwame Brown for their sub-par basketball skills. Bryant once publicly pleaded for the Lakers to trade Andrew Bynum because of his slow development.

Yet, Bryant bonded with Derek Fisher in 13 seasons together as he became a dependable role player through five NBA championship runs together. Bryant propped up Pau Gasol amid consecutive NBA titles and subsequent trade rumors. Countless role players have gushed about Bryant’s guidance, sparking Kupchak to argue “rookies do need to go through” the tough love Bryant will likely provide.

“He’s going to be in their ear and they should want to learn from him,” said Lakers coach Byron Scott, who mentored Bryant his rookie season. “There’s no better guy to have than to have him teach them what this league is all about and what type of work ethic they’ll need to have to hopefully get near his level.”

The Lakers have debated how they will use their No. 2 pick. Some options include Duke center Jahlil Okafor, Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell or point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, who played professionally last season in China. The Lakers also have the 27th and 34th picks. Kupchak argued such a youth infusion “can make it fun for (Bryant) again,” though Kupchak hopes to add more veteran players during free agency.

Which qualities would any of those No. 2 prospects need to flourish under Bryant’s imposing presence?

“We’re not going to pick a player because he can play with Kobe, likes Kobe or dislikes Kobe,” Kupchak told Los Angeles News Group. “We’re going to pick the player that can have the longest and best career.”

After all, Bryant will enter the 2015-16 season in what could become his last of a storied 20-year career. The Lakers hope their No. 2 pick can lead the franchise following Bryant’s eventual retirement. Still, Kupchak argued, “Kobe is going to impart a work ethic in training camp that will be beneficial to any player we bring.”

Those prospects maintained they are ready to handle Bryant’s treatment.

“If he steps on the court, he feels like he’s the best player. If I step on the court, I feel like I’m the best player,” Mudiay said. “I admire his determination.”

Okafor apparently admires Bryant’s sharp tongue, too.

He relished watching video last year of Bryant’s practice tirade. Then, Bryant questioned his teammates’ toughness and argued they have played as soft as tissue paper. Bryant also directed an expletive-filled rant to Kupchak on how his teammates’ poor play has not helped him improve in practice.

“I love it. I’ll be ready for that,” Okafor said. “He wants to win. Hopefully when I come here, he’ll be super hard on me.”

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski also shared stories with Okafor about Bryant when he coached him on two U.S. Olympic teams, including completing shooting drills that required him to make 10 consecutive baskets at each station. Okafor has since craved for more insight on what makes Bryant tick.

“People always talk about how he could miss two to three shots, but he’s fine. He knows he’s going to make the next one,” Okafor said. “Sometimes I get down on myself. So if I had the opportunity to see what is going through his head when he misses, that would definitely benefit me.”

Bryant often tests how well his teammates handle adversity by challenging them, something rookies Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson experienced last season.

During the first week of training camp, Bryant chided Clarkson as he tried to defend him. On one play, Bryant posted up Clarkson, fooled him with his footwork and swished a fade-away jumper. Bryant then chided Clarkson for nearly tripping over himself on the play.

But once Clarkson became the Lakers’ starting point guard in late January following Bryant’s season-ending right shoulder injury, Clarkson noted that Bryant often talked strategy with him.

“I soak it in and keep pressing on,” Clarkson said. “It pushes me and helps me get better.”

Bryant also prodded Randle, telling him he would be an “idiot” if he failed to take advantage of the Lakers’ championship culture and his own feedback. But once Randle suffered a season-ending right leg injury only 14 minutes into his NBA career, Bryant immediately offered support. Then, Bryant encouraged Randle both to stay disciplined with his rehab and study the game, something Bryant adopted after experiencing three season-ending injuries in consecutive seasons.

“Just be a sponge and willing to learn,” Randle said about accepting Bryant’s feedback. “It’ll be tough at first, regardless of how ready you think you are. But once you get it and it clicks, run with it.”

Clarkson and Randle might encounter new adjustments presuming they play a full season with Bryant. If the Lakers draft either player, Russell or Mudiay sounded open to share ball-handling duties with Bryant.

“If you’re doing the right thing, you don’t have to worry about it,” Russell said. “I don’t feel like he’ll lead you to the wrong route.”

Not everyone has thought that way.

O’Neal and Howard griped about Bryant not giving them the ball enough. Although Jeremy Lin publicly expressed appreciation for Bryant’s mentorship, Lin often lamented the lack of ball movement last year partly stemmed from Bryant’s high-volume shooting.

“Not everybody is willing to do what those great players have done, said former Lakers forward and NBA TV analyst Rick Fox, who played with Bryant from 1997 to 2004. “But if Kobe takes an interest in you, regardless of who you are, he must see something in you to be willing to spend his time.”

Still, former Lakers forward Antawn Jamison maintained Bryant was “one of the easiest teammates” through his 16-year NBA career during their lone season together in 2012-13. To earn Bryant’s respect, Jamison said the Lakers’ rookie must show enough willingness to learn and enough assertiveness to call for the ball when he is open. Jamison suspects Bryant will become more open toward reducing his workload considering his lack of supporting cast and want to stay healthy.

“It’s going to be eye opening at first,” said Jamison, an analyst for Time Warner Cable SportsNet. “But after they understand where Kobe’s coming from and become accustomed to his personality, it won’t be a problem at all.”

Quote box

“We’re not going to pick a player because he can play with Kobe, likes Kobe or dislikes Kobe. We’re going to pick the player that can have the longest and best career.”

– Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak on the No. 2 pick