Kobe Bryant finished with a team-high 18 points and had three assists and five rebounds in 32 minutes as the Lakers rode a 61-point second half to a 106-78 win over the Bulls who played without Luol Deng. Bryant left Staples Center as he entered it -a member of the Los Angeles Lakers for now and for the foreseeable future.

Although every indication is that Bryant still wants out, his teammates are glad he’s still here and that all the rumors were just talk.

“You know, it was getting a little hectic there for a while,” said Luke Walton, one of five Lakers reserves who reached double figures in points.

To get Bryant, the Bulls reportedly would have had to deal Deng, and/or forward Tyrus Thomas, guard Ben Gordon and rookie Joakim Noah. Ben Wallace’s name also appeared in the discussions.Bulls GM John Paxon denied all the rumours.