Kobe says he's 'Laker for life,' won't play elsewhere

NEW YORK (AP) If Kobe Bryant plays beyond this season, he says it will only be with the Lakers.

Bryant called himself a ''Laker for life'' on Friday, again denying that he would look to play elsewhere if this season isn't his last.

Bryant's contract expires in June at the end of his 20th season. The 37-year-old superstar hasn't revealed his future plans.

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson, his former coach, said in September that he didn't believe this would be Bryant's last season, but might be his final one in Los Angeles.

Bryant denied that after a victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

He says: ''I'm not playing anywhere else no matter what. It's just not going to happen. I bleed purple and gold and that's just how it's going to be.''