Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant played down speculation that he is planning to sit out the remainder of the season, as he is determined to silence his critics once he recovers.

Bryant, who sustained a knee fracture last week that would force him sit out at least six weeks, said that he is more focused than ever and he is looking forward to contributing big time to the Lakers later in the season.

"I think I feel more locked in now than I've been my entire career because of this," Bryant said in an ESPN Los Angeles interview. "The spirits are fine, the focus is great. Just going to see what happens when I come back."

Responding to his critics, including TNT analyst Charles Barkley, who said that the knee injury is a sign that Father Time is slowly catching up to Bryant, the 35-year-old said that doubters are just making him more fired up to prove that he still has a lot of gas left in his tank.

"It's the same old tune," Bryant said of his critics. "It's just being sung a little more loudly now. Those types of things just really help me lock in more than ever."

The 15-time All-Star guard also earned support from other players, including Miami Heat star LeBron James.

The four-time and reigning Most Valuable Player said that Bryant, whom he described as one of the greatest competitors in the NBA, will work his way back to his top form and come back stronger for the Lakers this season.

"It's not as special when Kobe's not out there. Let's be honest. I love coming out and going up against one of the best. One of the greatest competitors we have going in our game," James said after the Heat's 101-95 win over the Lakers on Wednesday. "I've been hearing reports about people giving their stupid opinion about what he should do. He's not going to sit. That's not him. That's not in his nature."

Bryant, who also missed the first six weeks of the season while recovering from an Achilles tendon surgery, averaged 13.8 points to go along with 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds in six games this season.