Kobe Bryant plans on playing in all 9 games left in his career

Kobe Bryant has just nine games left in his 20-year career, preparing to shut down his life with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe told media following the Lakers' loss to the Washington Wizards that his intention is to play in every remaining game leading up to his final outing on Apr. 13.

"I'm damn sure going to try," Bryant said when asked if he will play in the nine games left of the '15-16 season. "To answer your question, yes, unless something drastic happens, god forbid."

Kobe's played in 57 of the Lakers' 73 games this year for a total of 1633 minutes, playing through shoulder soreness that's left him a game-time decision through the majority of the year. The journey to this point of the season has been a long one, with the Lakers winning just 15 games, but Bryant hasn't been hit with the reality that it's coming to a close just yet.

"No not really," Kobe said when asked if the end of his career is coming into focus. "It's pretty crazy to think. I've only got four home games left, that's kind of crazy. I didn't realize that until right before tip-off."

Bryant's plan on the morning after his final game (Apr. 13)?

"Get my a** on the treadmill," Kobe joked with reporters.

"I think that the most important thing is start establishing a routine and go from there."

Expect to see Bryant in the starting lineup in front of roaring crowds in every game left of his career. We're down to single-digits left in his time in the NBA.

*All quotes transcribed from Lakers.com