Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant admitted that he might not be as good as before when he returns to action in the upcoming 2014-15 NBA season.
In an interview with Chris Ballard of Sports Illustrated, Bryant, who missed the majority of last season due to a knee injury, admitted that father time is catching up with him.
"There are certain things that my body can't do that I used to be able to do," Bryant said. "And you have to be able to deal with those."
Bryant, who celebrated his 36th birthday on Saturday, quickly added that while his body is not as good as before, he still thinks that he can perform at a high level for the Lakers in the upcoming season.
"So when I hear the pundits and people talk, saying, 'Well, he won't be what he was.' Know what? You're right! I won't be. But just because something evolves, it doesn't make it any less better than it was before," Bryant said.
The 16-time All-Star, who holds a career average of 25.5 points to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists, vowed that he will be sharper next season.
"I'll be sharper," Bryant said. "Much sharper. Much more efficient in areas. I'll be limited in terms of what you see me do, versus a couple years ago. But very, very methodical, very, very purposeful."
Lakers legend James Worthy echoed Bryant's statement in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. He said that Bryant will not be as explosive as before, but the 18-year-veteran still has the tools that could make him a dominating player.
"I still think Kobe has a very dominant game left in him," Bryant said. "It may not be above the rim as we remember it, but he'll get into the savvy game of the bump and fadeaway or the post-up game. He'll become more of an assist guy, more of a guy who throws [out of] a double team."
Bryant averaged 13.8 points to go along with 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds last season, but went down with a knee injury just in his sixth game coming off a surgery that repaired a torn Achilles tendon.
