The Los Angeles Lakers introduced two new additions to their team on Tuesday. Following their first Summer League practice under new head coach Luke Walton, rookies Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac fielded questions from media for the first time at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo.
Among the many questions sent his way, Ingram was asked about whether the rumors were true about the Duke product taking over Kobe Bryant’s locker at the practice facility. Ingram confirmed the rumors and then admitted he likes the added pressure of having a locker that had been occupied by the Lakers legend the past 20 years, via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Brandon Ingram said he does feel added pressure that he’s taken over Kobe's locker at the practice facility, but he likes the pressure
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 5, 2016
After Ingram said he’s looking forward to the pressure of taking Kobe’s locker, Winters asked Zubac if he was jealous that Ingram was taking his idol’s locker. Zubac comically responded by saying the following:
Knowing Ivica Zubac grew up a HUGE Kobe fan, asked Ivica if he was jealous Ingram got KB’s locker, he laughed: “He can have the pressure."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 5, 2016
Ingram embracing the pressure of taking over a locker synonymous with arguably the greatest Laker of all time is a good sign for this team. The 18-year-old has much to prove heading into his first season with the Lakers but seems eager to face the challenges ahead.
As for Zubac, the Croatian has the makings of a fan favorite. The seven-footer has the personality of a class clown and as long as he works hard on his game, the baby-faced center has the opportunity to become a household name among Lakers fans.