Kobe Bryant is on pace to be named a starter in the 2014 All-Star Game on Feb. 16 in New Orleans, but the Los Angeles Lakers superstar admitted that he could be unready for the annual spectacle.

"I probably won't be able to come back soon enough to put my stamp or make my mark on the game," Bryant told ESPN Los Angeles.

Bryant, who is still recovering from a fractured left tibial plateau, is currently second to Kevin Durant in the Western Conference balloting with 723,031 votes.

The 35-year-old veteran said that he is flattered that NBA fans still want him in the All-Star game, but he quickly asked the voters to vote for younger players who are having spectacular seasons, singling out Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard.

"My advice would be to focus on these younger players, the Damian Lillards of the world, because they're more than deserving to be playing on that weekend," Bryant stressed. "Even though there's so much respect from me to be able to go out there and play for the fans, I'd much rather see the young guys play in the game because they've obviously put the work in to be in it. I'd much rather go out there and see them participate."

As for his return, Bryant said that his rehabilitation is going well. Initial projections suggested that the 15-time All-Star could be out until early February, but he said that it is too early to set a return timetable.

The Lakers are currently in 13th place in the tight Western Conference race with their 14-20 record, five games behind the eighth-placed Dallas Mavericks, who hold a 19-15 record. When asked about their chances this year, Bryant said that they still have time to turn their season around.

"Yeah, we'll be fine," Bryant said. "They've just got to get their [butt] in gear, play both ends of the floor, get a couple games here, go on a nice two-or-three game streak and all of a sudden we're back in the hunt. Start picking it up from there and start chipping away. We'll be fine."

Bryant, who also missed the earlier part of the season while recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, averaged 13.8 points and 6.3 assists in six games this season.