Kobe, Lakers top Nets

Kobe Bryant/Wayne Ellington/Brook Lopez

NEW YORK - Kobe Bryant scored 18 points, his highest performance since opening night, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the winless Brooklyn Nets 104-98 on Friday night for their first victory of the season.

Kobe also showed his Loyalty to the Purple and Gold with comment after the win.

As well as his sarcasm towards his 200th ranking towards himself.

Kobe Bryant on his future: "I'm a Laker for life. I'm not playing anywhere else, no matter what. It's just not going to happen."

— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) November 7, 2015

Kobe ranked himself 200th-best NBA player. Now? "I was being a smartass. That’s my nature. You want me to say 400 or something like that?"

— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) November 7, 2015

Rookie D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson each scored 16 points for the Lakers (1-4), while the Nets dropped to 0-6.

The Lakers' 11-point lead was down to three in the final half-minute but they forced a 5-second violation on an inbounds pass. Bryant then made four straight free throws for a 102-95 lead while receiving loud cheers, as he did all night.

Head Coach Byron Scott had some strong but encouraging words towards his young team.

Brook Lopez had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, while Joe Johnson scored 22 points.