Kobe Bryant angrily denied a story in Wednesday's Dallas Morning News claiming he had contacted University of Texas freshman star Kevin Durant at the direction of the Nike shoe company.

The story is vague about the source of the claim, saying, "Word is Kobe Bryant has already called Kevin Durant on behalf of Nike and that a shoe deal ranging between $30 million and $50 million simply needs to be presented."

Bryant responded after practice Wednesday at the Lakers' El Segundo training facility before boarding a plane for Memphis, where the Lakers will play the Grizzlies tonight.

""Don't print something that's just completely false," Bryant said. "That makes no sense whatsoever. It's really unprofessional.

"I've never spoken to [Durant]. I've never seen him. Obviously he's a phenomenal talent, watching him play on TV a couple of times. But I don't know him at all.

"I don't know where they got that story from, where they got that idea from or where they came up with that, but they might want to check their facts first."