Kobe Bryant ahead of schedule, could return to Lakers soon

Even though Kobe Bryant's rehabilitation has ticked past the seven-month mark into a recovery timeline that was originally set at six to nine months by the Los Angeles Lakers, the star guard still considers himself to be progressing quickly.

"I feel like I'm ahead of schedule," Bryant told former teammate Rick Fox in an interview for NBA TV on Friday. "If there was a playoff game tonight, I'd play. I'd play. I don't know how effective I'd be, but I would play.

Bryant has been back on the practice court going through shooting drills during the past week, according to Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni. The attempts have been more of the game-ready, jump-shot variety than the modified set shooting that Bryant was already able to do during training camp.