Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant is entering his 20th NBA season and many believe that this could be his last, especially after suffering three major injuries in the last three years. According to CNN, he injured his left Achilles tendon towards the end of the 2012-2013 season then fractured his lateral tibial plateau on his left knee in December 2013, per ESPN.

"Mamba" has been cleared of all basketball activities heading into Lakers training camp after he suffered a torn right rotator cuff against the New Orleans Pelicans last Jan. 21. Current Golden State Warriors head consultant and Lakers great Jerry West said in an interview with NBC Sports that he thinks Kobe will play beyond the 2015-2016 season.

"In many ways, it's sad to see an athlete whose time is near the end of his career. But depending on how he plays, you never know, he might play more. He's said he's not going to play anymore, but I think he's so competitive, I don't know how he would say no and goodbye to the sport," West said.

"I hope they don't have to drag him out because I want him to leave as every incredible athlete like him. I want him to leave when he feels it's the time it's to leave. But he won't be forced out, trust me," he added.

Kobe's injury history and heavy minutes last season will be monitored this season as reported by Yahoo! Sports. Lakers coach Byron Scott said in an interview with the Orange County register that he plans on limiting five-time NBA champion's minutes.

"He wants to play, and he wants to go out the way he wants to go out if this is indeed his final year. He and I have talked a number of times on the phone, we've talked about playing time, we've talked about back-to-backs," Scott said as quoted by Yahoo! Sports.

"The one thing I want, if this is his last year, I want him to go out standing [sic]. I don't want him to go out hurt. I want to make sure I do everything in my power to make sure we stick to the game plan, as far as his minutes and as far as back-to-back games," the head coach added.

Jerry West traded for the 18-year-old Kobe Bryant in 1996 for Vlade Divac and the rest is history. The 77-year-old executive has nothing but praise for the 2008 MVP. "He's been an incredible player, done some wonderful things in his life, is one of the most competitive players I've ever seen, one of the most skilled players I've ever seen," West said via NBC Sports.