BRYANT READY TO WIND DOWN

Kobe Bryant says he’ll be “completely fine” if he doesn’t get one last All Star appearance before calling time on his 20-year NBA career.

In a conference call with international media, the Los Angeles Lakers legend revealed his content feeling at the prospect of walking away next summer.

It’s expected that he will be in Toronto in February for an 18th All Star jaunt with his fan voting likely to give him a starting spot.

“I’ve been very fortunate to play in so many All-Star games,” he said. “For me not to be voted in, I know it might sound hard to really process when I say I’m completely fine with that. I’ve had an amazing run.

“At some point, you have to be okay with letting that go and you have to be okay with passing the game along and do all you can to help the game continue to grow and continue to evolve. That’s my way of letting you know that I’m completely fine with whatever role I have at All-Star weekend.”

Bryant was also asked about his five toughest opponents – individually, as a team.

The players? “Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Clyde Drexler.”

The teams? “San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls.”

His current Lakers, who face the LA Clippers in a televised Christmas game, will not be among the greats but the Italian-raised guard would love more title to bow out on. If that comes, he confirmed, it would be with what might be a controversial selection for the USA’s team for the 2016 Olympic Games ahead of a long-sought cameo abroad.

“I would have loved to have played overseas but it’s not going to happen,” Bryant re-affirmed. “Body won’t let me.”

pic: NBAE/Getty