Kobe Bryant is recovering from his Achilles injury with optimism that he can extend his career for several more seasons.

"I feel pretty damn confident I can be at a high level for at least another three years," Bryant said. "I feel like how I was playing last year – I know I'll be healthy and I'll be ready to go this year – I know what I can bring. And I think I can easily do that for another three years. 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. It was really, really close there. They played phenomenally well. But 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. 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."

Bryant will be in Tuesday's meeting with Dwight Howard as part of the Lakers' contingent.

Bryant is entering the final season of his current contract.