There’s an unspoken rite of passage for rookies in the NBA, especially in major markets like the Los Angeles Lakers. No. 2 overall draft pick Brandon Ingram has enough to prove as an NBA rookie, but he’s also has the burden of helping segue into the post-Kobe era for the Lakers.
Ingram wants to develop as a leader for the Lakers. They’ll need plenty of it. What better way to usher in that development than by inheriting Kobe Bryant’s old locker? That privilege now belongs to Ingram.
I’m hearing that Kobe Bryant’s locker at the Lakers’ training facility now belongs to Brandon Ingram. Symbolic, or something like that.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 5, 2016
Ingram smiles when asked about having Kobe’s locker. “Mitch told me I have some big shoes to fill.”
— Lakers Outsiders (@LakersOutsiders) July 5, 2016
“I can only do what I do well. There’s no other Kobe Bryant” – Brandon Ingram on the pressure to replace Kobe
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) July 5, 2016
There may be no greater honor for a Laker rookie than this. Hopefully for Ingram and the Lakers, this doesn’t hit too hard on the pressure he spoke on himself. Trying to replace or reproduce Kobe Bryant right away is an unrealistic feat and could stunt his own confidence. All he can do is continue to work and do his best to show that he is worthy of such an honor.
