Kobe Bryant Says He Could Play Right Now if the Lakers Were Contenders (VIDEO)

Kobe Bryant was on the Dan Patrick Show today promoting Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (Bean compared Obama’s game to that of former NBA guards Michael Adams and Tiny Archibald), and touched on Mike D’Antoni’s uncertain future in LA, Phil Jackson moving on to the New York Knicks, and once again expressed unwavering belief is his ability to bounce back from injuries that derailed his season:

Dan asked Kobe if Mike D’Antoni deserves another year in L.A.: “I don’t know. It’s been tough on him. He’s been dealing with so many injuries. I don’t know if he’s gotten a fair shake.”

Kobe on Phil Jackson taking a front-office job with the Knicks: “I wasn’t surprised by it. I knew that was going to happen. He and I had breakfast together [a week and half ago]. … There’s only but so much meditation a person can do all day.”

Kobe said that if the team was doing well enough he could play right now.

Kobe on what he’ll be like when he returns: “I personally think you’re going to see the Kobe you’re used to seeing. … I’ve never had a year with this much time off to recover and rest and get stronger.”

Kobe on Carmelo Anthony: “He’s won a championship at Syracuse. He has that championship DNA in him.”