Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant blew out his Achilles tendon near the end of the 2012-13 NBA regular season. Despite battling and playing through numerous injuries during the season and throughout his Hall of Fame caliber, Kobe was unable to bounce back from the injury that has ended a lot of player’s career in the past.

Once Kobe went down with the blown Achilles tendon, the veteran shooting guard went to the line, sunk two free throws and headed to the locker room. Kobe’s career was shrouded in doubt after the severe injury that immediately required season-ending surgery.

Although Kobe was clearly emotional after the game and seemingly doubting his own ability to bounce back from the injury, the veteran guard let it be known he has every intention of returning next season. Kobe will go through the longest rehab process of his 17-year career and hopes to return for the season opener 2012-13 NBA season.

Kobe recently talked about the extensive rehab process and when he’ll likely be back on the floor. The perennial All-Star was set for a rehab process for six to nine months with a lot of doubt surrounding whether or not he’d be able to return next season or ever again.

Fortunately for Kobe and the Lakers, the future Hall of Famer is making an incredible recovery from the blown Achilles injury and is hoping to return for the first game of next season.

Although Kobe hopes to be back sooner rather than later, the Lakers franchise may look much different next season. Dwight Howard may very well head to the Houston Rockets or another team in free agency while a lot of questions surrounds the futures of Metta World Peace and Pau Gasol in Los Angeles.

Needless to say, uncertainty completely surrounds the franchise moving forward.

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