Kobe Bryant Plotting Comeback, Planning For More Rings

Apparently, you can’t judge a book by its cover in the case of Los Angeles Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant.

Already spending his off season recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Bryant sent tremors through Lakers Nation on Friday by selecting “The Last Chapter,” as the slogan that best represents his comeback efforts.

Yet, a source identified by ESPN as close to NBA star, later told the network not only does he plan to be “back next season with a vengeance, he wants “two more cracks at it to win seven NBA titles.”

The No. 7 would seem to hold added significance for Bryant because it would give him one more NBA title than Hall of Fame legend Michael Jordan, the man he has most often been compared to over the course of his career.

Presently, Bryant and longtime L.A. teammate Derek Fisher lead all active players with five NBA titles, though San Antonio’s Tim Duncan could tie them both if the Spurs are able to prevail over the Miami Heat in this year’s finals.

The now 34-year-old Bryant has long maintained he will play only while he's able to perform at an elite level. Next season marks the end of his current pact, and the fact that he’s looking beyond that timeframe bolds well for Lakers fans.

ESPN reports the team was just about to embark on extension talks with him when he suffered his season-ending injury just before the start of the playoffs. During the regular season, Bryant averaged 27.6 points, 6 assists and 5.6 rebounds, all higher than his career averages in each category.

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