Kobe Bryant can see himself playing ‘three to four more years’

Kobe Bryant has consistently suggested he’ll play just one or two more seasons before retiring.

Currently on a trip to Brazil, the Lakers guard may have revealed a different plan altogether.

“I could easily see myself playing another three or four years,” he said on Brazilian television in a segment produced by Glenda Carqueijo (2:30 in the video).

The All-Star guard is currently recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon, suffered April 12. He’s expected to return to the court by November or December.

Bryant is headed into the final year of his contract and will be 35 before next season. He’s confident he’ll fully recover from what was a devastating injury.

The television clip, narrated in Portuguese, describes Bryant as an “NBA superstar in Brazil.”

Bryant was able to spend time with Hall-of-Famer Oscar Schmidt, who is recovering from brain surgery. Bryant and Schmidt were also joined by Brazilian NBA players Anderson Varejao and Leandro Barbosa, judging a local dunk contest.

ALSO:

Family dynamics keep Phil Jackson an outsider with Lakers

Jeanie Buss confident in Lakers’ advantage despite limitations

Kobe Bryant turns to David Beckham for advice on Achilles injury

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.