LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant is running out of these moments, running out of these opportunities to make history – even the ignominious kind – and running out of these days to lead and inspire players on both teams. The schedule says the Los Angeles Lakers have 18 games remaining but Bryant, and his ornery right shoulder, know that the probability of him suiting up for all of them is "wishful thinking."

Bryant finds pain in the routine these days. Last Friday, his shoulder was so unstable that turning on the radio in his car caused too much discomfort for him to even consider playing. With the farewell closing in, Bryant has no choice but to appreciate the gradual improvements of his teammates, who honored his legacy Sunday by wearing Bryant-themed socks and then defeating a seemingly unstoppable Golden State Warriors team before a delirious Staples Center crowd and a stunned national television audience.

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In the final minute of the Lakers' 112-95 victory over the defending champions, Bryant stood up, towel draped on his shoulders and nodded his head with approval. Fans were busy chanting his name to show their appreciation for Bryant toughing out another game when he still didn't feel quite right, but Bryant was too focused on calling over teammate Jordan Clarkson and bringing him in for a hug. He was still shouting instructions for them not to let up.

View photos Stephen Curry (left) thanked Kobe Bryant for the impact he's had on the NBA. (NBAE/Getty Images) More

"Kobe kept us on our toes," rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell said after he and Clarkson combined to somehow outplay and outshoot the league's best backcourt in All-Stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Pulling off the greatest regular-season upset in NBA history – a 51-loss team defeating a 55-win team in early March – won't make the list of Bryant's career accomplishments but he will find pleasure in knowing that this farewell tour is becoming more than some 82-game ego stroke; that youngsters like Clarkson and Russell are taking note of the importance of tending to details, to "basketball, nerdy things." His influence might not be fully felt through the slog of another lousy season in Los Angeles but Bryant is hoping for something more lasting.

"My job here is to help mentor these young guys, teach them as much as I possibly can and move this organization into a bright, bright future," Bryant said.

Bryant has no more rings to win, no more championships to chase. But he still has six more weeks to exhaust whatever competitive juices remain and to share what he's learned over a 20-year career. The Lakers may have done Bryant's old coach, Phil Jackson, a favor by making Golden State's quest of catching or surpassing the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' record of 72 wins a little more difficult but Bryant still lent a helping hand in the Warriors' pursuit.

After the game, Bryant sought out reigning Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry, encouraged him to "keep pushing" and heard some thoughtful words from Curry about the influence Bryant has had on his career. "I told him to enjoy this last month and a half of his farewell. I'm very appreciative of what he did for the game of basketball. And we'll benefit from that," Curry said.

Then, Bryant summoned Draymond Green to pass along a much more pointed message. "He's the one that has to keep his finger on the nerve with this team, because it can get lax, it can get comfortable, and I think he's the one that's going to have to create that conflict, that tension in the locker room, because if they don't have that, then in the playoffs, then they are going to be in trouble," Bryant said of Green. "He's got to give them that conflict."

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