Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant will soon be 35-years-old, and with age catching up to him, he says he hopes to play fewer minutes in the upcoming season.

Bryant sat down at the Nokia Theatre on Thursday in a special hour-long special titled, "Kobe Up Close Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel," where the proceeds from the event where going to the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Foundation to help fight homelessness.

Kimmel addressed various subjects during his conversation, beginning with his recovery process from his surgery to his left torn Achilles tendon.

"With an Achilles' injury, it's just one of those freak situations," said Bryant, who didn't want to blame his April season-ending tear on playing too many minutes.

He was then asked if he'll be willing to have a reduced role in the upcoming season.

"That's the goal," Bryant said. "We got a little younger and picked up a couple of wing players who I really think will help us tremendously next year - Nick Young and Wesley Johnson. I really look forward to them easing the load."

However, probably the most important question of the night, especially for Lakers' fans, is whether the Black Mamba will be ready to go for opening night on Oct. 29.

"I don't know if I'll be ready for opening night. I really don't know," Bryant said. "I know I'm really, really ahead of schedule."

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