Kobe on being ready for training camp: 'That's the plan'
Any fans worried that Kobe Bryant's latest injury setback might cost him his career need fear not, as Bryant himself has joined the list of people who believe the Black Mamba will be back on the court next season.
"That's the plan," Bryant said of being ready for Lakers training camp in September, as reported by ESPN.
Bryant said that his surgically repaired right shoulder is sore and added that media speculation about his future means nothing to him. "I don't really listen much to what people have to say, to be honest with you," he said.
Bryant suffered a season-ending torn rotator cuff last week, marking the third consecutive season that an injury has prematurely ended his year. A ruptured Achilles late in the 2012-13 season and a knee fracture six games into his 2013-14 comeback season have sidelined him in recent years.
The 36-year-old has logged more than 55,000 minutes between the regular season and playoffs over his 19-year career, but Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and head coach Byron Scott have both said they expect Kobe back next season.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who helped perform this week's surgery, also said he expects Bryant to be ready for the 2015-16 season.