Kobe Bryant admitted that age is slowly catching up with him, but the Los Angeles Lakers superstar remains confident that he can perform at a high level in the 2014-15 NBA season.

Bryant, who sustained a torn Achilles tendon in 2012 before hurting his knee last season, said in an interview with Sports Illustrated that there are certain things that he can't do nowadays.

"There are certain things that my body can't do that I used to be able to do," Bryant said. "And you have to be able to deal with those."

The 36-year-old superstar quickly added, though, that he is still confident that he can perform at a high level to help the Lakers bounce back from a dismal year in the 2014-15 NBA season.

"I'll be sharper," Bryant said. "Much sharper. Much more efficient in areas. I'll be limited in terms of what you see me do, versus a couple years ago. But very, very methodical, very, very purposeful."

Lakers legend James Worthy also said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that Bryant will not be as explosive as before, but that doesn't mean that the 16-time All-Star cannot dominate in the upcoming season.

"I still think Kobe has a very dominant game left in him," Worthy said. "It may not be above the rim as we remember it, but he'll get into the savvy game of the bump and fadeaway or the post-up game. He'll become more of an assist guy, more of a guy who throws [out of] a double team."

Hall of Famer and current TNT analysts Reggie Miller also believes that Bryant can still averaged 20 or more points per game next season, but the former Indiana Pacers star is unsure whether or not the 18-year veteran will still have the quick first step that he is known for.

"Will that quick first step be there?" Miller said. "That remains to be seen. I hope so, but we all know Father Time is undefeated, so if he can find a way to dodge and duck and weave from Father Time, great."

Bryant averaged 13.8 points to go along with 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game, but his season was cut short after sustaining a knee injury in his sixth game back from an Achilles tendon injury.

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