Kobe on being mentor in 2015-16: 'The important thing is these young guys develop'

The Los Angeles Lakers' 2014-15 campaign yielded more heartache than hope for fans of the purple and gold.

Kobe Bryant has also had a rough go over the past couple of seasons due to a rash of season-ending injuries.

And so, Monday's media day - a signifier of a new season, and thus a new chapter - couldn't have come soon enough for the both the team and its 37-year-old heart and soul.

Bryant was greeted by a mass of reporters itching to get the first soundbite of the 2015-16 season.

Asked about the recent chatter that he would be asked by head coach Byron Scott to play some minutes at the small forward, Bryant responded, "I've played small forward my whole career."

This positional change was initially brought up in July - a transition that would enable Scott to pair the athletic Jordan Clarkson and flashy rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell on the court simultaneously while shifting Bryant over to the SF spot.

As the team's elder statesman, Bryant seems amenable to change. Understanding of his role as mentor, he added, "The important thing is these young guys develop and to be there when they have questions."

For his part, Clarkson believes Bryant - who is entering his 20th season as a pro - has a wealth of knowledge which can be taken advantage of.

Earlier in September, Julius Randle - the Lakers' top draft pick in 2014 - confessed that Bryant was by far the most helpful teammate as the rookie endured the challenges of rehab last season.

Whether or not this is Bryant's final go-around with the Lakers or in the NBA entirely is yet to be determined.

Nevertheless, it's good to see "The Mamba" healthy and smiling again.