Kobe Bryant: I can play three more years

Feb 17, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Eastern Conference forward LeBron James (6) of the Miami Heat drives against Western Conference guard Kobe Bryant (24) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of the 2013 NBA All-Star Game at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

"I feel pretty damn confident I can be at a high level for at least another three years"

Bryant said the Achilles injury, along with some other factors, motivated him and increased his drive this off-season.

"I think the (Achilles) injury has something to do with it. It really increased the drive. And probably San Antonio getting so close to winning No. 5, probably hurt me a little bit too. I want to make sure I push the ring count out a little further….To what us old guys can do if you play together, if you play with one mind and one purpose you can accomplish great things. It was inspirational for me and hopefully inspirational for the city of Los Angeles and this organization of what we can do, how this tide can change fairly quickly and we’ll be looking at a parade."

If there’s one thing Lakers fans know, it’s that a motivated Kobe Bryant is a scary Kobe Bryant. There’s no doubt he was going to come back more fierce than ever from this injury, but to hear him say it adds some reassurance to the situation.