Kobe Bryant vowed to return with a vengeance next season after missing almost the entire 2013-14 NBA season, which led to a disastrous campaign for the Los Angeles Lakers.

In an interview with ESPN Los Angeles, Bryant, who missed 76 games this season because of a torn Achilles and fractured knee, said that he is already 100 percent healthy and has been doing a lot of on-court activities over the past several weeks.

"From a health standpoint, 100 percent," Bryant said when asked about his readiness to return next season. "I started doing a lot of on-court training, and so I'm back into my routine. Then I'll start lifting and start doing the running, which I hate. By the time the season comes around, I'll be ready to go."

Bryant, who averaged 13.8 points to go along with 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds in six games this season, has started a six-month training program to prepare for his much awaited return next season.

The 35-year-old superstar, who started training shortly after the Lakers' season ended, is optimistic that, like him, the Lakers will also return to prominence next season after having one of their worst seasons in franchise history this year.

"I do," Bryant said when asked if he believes the Lakers will return stronger next season. "We'll make changes, for sure. There are certain characteristics that you have to build your team around in speed and length and rebounding and defense. We'll make those adjustments."

The 16-time all-star also talked about the criticisms thrown against him for not sitting on the bench with his teammates regularly and for flying to Europe for a vacation before the Lakers' season was officially over.

Bryant pointed out that it was hard for him to watch his team lose one game after another, but he quickly added that such adversities will push him to return stronger next season.

"I'd rather stay at home and eat paint chips," Bryant said. "It was tough, man. It was really, really tough. But you know, when you go through seasons like that, it just adds fuel to the fire to come back even stronger."

The Lakers are expected to make big moves this season, including hiring a new coach after Mike D'Antoni stepped down from his post. Veteran center Pau Gasol will also become an unrestricted free agent, and it remains to be seen whether or not they will consider re-signing the 33-year-old center.

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