"I think he's just a player that is going to find a way regardless," he said. "When his skill level deteriorates, he's going to find a level to play at that his athleticism is going to allow. I can see him playing to 36, 37.
"You saw guys like [Jerry] Stackhouse and [Michael] Jordan playing past 35 with great ability. There's no reason why Kobe won't."
Bryant, in his 13th NBA season, will be 31 in August. He has played 44% more games than Jordan at this stage in his career but said he felt fresh.
"My body feels great," he said. "God willing, I stay healthy, I'll just keep going."
--
Hey, thanks, Lamar
His Lakers teammates have recognized the sacrifices Lamar Odom has made this entire season.
They appreciate his willingness to give of himself for the betterment of the team, for the opportunity to win an NBA championship.
They know how difficult it was for Odom to go from being a starter to a reserve role, especially in the final year of a contract, when he knows putting up big numbers is a way of getting paid.
His teammates have watched how Odom has taken it all in stride and how in the Finals he has found some success, producing a double-double in Game 1 with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
He was also a difference-maker in the last two Western Conference finals games against Denver, averaging 19.5 points and 11 rebounds and shooting 51.8%.
"Lamar has been magnificent, and I think that's why good things are happening for him," Derek Fisher said. "If anybody believes I guess in basketball gods, he has paid his to them. He stepped back and accepted what was given to him and then every time the spotlight needed a spot to go to, it has gone to him because of how much he has given up.
"That's life. The more you give, the more you receive, and Lamar has given just about more than anybody on this team."
Odom is in the final year of a contract that's on the Lakers' books for $14.1 million.
He averaged 11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 29.7 minutes in mostly a reserve role during the regular season, down from the 14.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 37.9 minutes he averaged last season as a starter.
"Lamar is 29 years old and this could be his last big free-agent contract, so you want to maximize it. But now you're in this limited role where you can't do the things you want as a starter," Fisher said. "So it's a very tough spot to be in. But when you're on that championship-caliber team like we have, I think it makes your willingness to accept the circumstances not easier, but better."
--
Defense is the key
For the Lakers, it's all about defense against the Magic.
For Lakers center Andrew Bynum, it's all about his defense on Howard.
Howard had 12 points on one-for-six shooting in Game 1.
"We can put up 100 points, which I know this team can do night in and night out," Bynum said. "We've just got to hold [Orlando] to under that. That's the way we look at it. Obviously, on offense if we can get guys cutting through the lane, we'll be more productive. That's a plus. But I think keeping a team under 100 points probably gives you the best chance of winning."
--
mike.bresnahan@latimes.com
broderick.turner@latimes.com
