Kobe Bryant wants to play for another 3 years

Looks like Kobe Bryant’s Achilles injury and the Spurs have motivated the Lakers superstar to make a change of plans. Kobe maintained for the bulk of last season that he would play out his contract with the Lakers and then retire or giving it an additional year beyond his contract but that he would be hanging up his hoop shoes in the near future. But that line of thinking seems to have changed for the Black Mamba.

In a recent interview with Lakers.com, Kobe stated that he feels he can play at a high level for at least another three years.

“I think the [Achilles] injury has something to do with it. It really increased the drive,” said Bryant, who is recovering from April 13 surgery.

Bryant also said he was inspired by the older San Antonio Spurs and their trip to the NBA Finals, just seconds away from a title in Game 6.

“San Antonio getting so close to winning No. 5 probably hurt me a little bit too,” he said. “I want to make sure I push the ring count out a little further. It was really, really close there.”

Bryant has five championships with the Lakers.  Spurs veteran forward/center Tim Duncan has four.

“It’s a testament to what skill can do. 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,” he said. “It was inspiration for me and hopefully inspirational for the city of Los Angeles and this organization of what we can do, how the tide can change fairly quickly and we’ll be looking at a parade.”

Kobe is already back in the gym per his Instagram

. He’s stated he hopes to make a return to the court next season by December.

I wonder if Dwight will have any questions about this in his meeting with the Lakers today. The Lakers can offer Dwight a contract for 5-years worth approximately $118 million. So the question is, does Dwight want to play with an aging alpha male in Kobe Bryant for the next three to four seasons? Hmmmm a little over a week until we know the answer.