Baxter Holmes
@Baxter
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LA-based (and James Beard Award-winning) Senior NBA Writer for @espn . Text/Call, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal: 650-423-1002. Baxter_holmes @protonmail .com
Los Angeles, CA
Joined December 2008
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“If the commissioner comes in and investigates to see what the f--- is going on in Phoenix, [he]
would be appalled.”
Based on interviews w/ 70+ current & former employees throughout his 17-year tenure as owner, my story on Robert Sarver’s Phoenix Suns:
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Luka after the game on this moment: "[
@kobebryant
] was talking [in] Slovenian. I was like, 'Who's talking my language?' Then I saw Kobe. I was really surprised."
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The Lakers placed the jerseys of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna over the court-side seats they occupied during the last game they attended here:
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Phoenix Suns minority owner Jahm Najafi, who owns the second-largest stake in the team behind majority owner Robert Sarver, just released a statement.
In it, Najafi writes, in part:
"I am calling for the resignation of Robert Sarver."
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Reporter: Lance Stephenson clearly stepped on your foot. Can you confirm? Jeff Green, with a smile and a few laughs: “I can confirm that he did step on my foot, but run with it. I don’t care. He ‘crossed me,’ if that makes everybody happy.”
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Mom wears boots to her chemotherapy treatments because, she says, “I’m gonna kick cancer’s ass.” 💪
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Thread: Today, ESPN is publishing part one of my two-part series on the spike of NBA injuries and why experts are deeply concerned that young players today are physically breaking down at an alarming rate. “It is grave,” one NBA GM told me.
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ESPN is publishing a special 96-page commemorative magazine issue devoted to the life of Kobe Bryant. It contains feature stories, essays and photographs about the late Lakers superstar. It’s slated to hit newsstands Friday and can also be ordered here:
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"It's f----ng crazy over there."
My story on life inside the Lakers:
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Phoenix Suns president and CEO Jason Rowley has resigned from the team, sources tell ESPN.
NEWS: Phoenix Suns president and CEO Jason Rowley told a group of team employees that a recent ESPN story placing him at the center of allegations of workplace misconduct misrepresented him, and that he would not be resigning, sources tell ESPN. More here:
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NEWS: Hornets restricted free agent Miles Bridges pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court and will face three years of probation and no jail time as part of a deal with prosecutors. ESPN story:
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Lakers coach Luke Walton looked at a TV just now, saw the World Series score, laughed & said with a huge grin, "How's that feel, Cleveland?"
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Sources tell ESPN that the NBA & NBPA have been collaborating in assessing rapid-response testing devices that in theory could yield accurate results within minutes, a process that represents a critical first step toward potentially resuming play. Story:
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BREAKING: In a statement, Robert Sarver writes, in part:
"I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury."
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Kobe removed Gatorade from presser table: "That’s only good for celebrations nowadays. Nobody drinks that stuff.” He invests in Body Armor.
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NEWS: A longtime Phoenix Suns employee resigned from the team last month, alleging she became the target of bullying and retaliation by superiors after raising gender-equity concerns and misconduct within the organization, documents obtained by ESPN show.
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NEW STORY: Before the bubble, a question was posed: when players' kids start visiting, what about school? Thus, the NBPA's "Bubble School," which opened Monday, was born. One NBPA official calls it "probably the safest classroom in the country right now."
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NEWS: There's tension in the NBA among some mandated to be vaccinated against those who aren't (players). “It’s very concerning to everybody involved,” said one GM. “I'm out of energy trying to convince somebody to save themselves and their loved ones.”
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“What’s my legacy? Food and wine. This is just a job.” Gregg Popovich was kidding, kind of. But the legendary basketball coach is equally revered in the culinary world. Here's how central that world is to his life and to the Spurs' decades of success:
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Kobe is asked about not being a great friend all the time.
His response: "Friends come and go but banners hang forever."
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The current "load management" debate is simply not rooted in science or medicine. A major factor: Many players now enter the NBA with badly broken bodies. I reported on this massive crisis over a two-year period:
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NEWS: The NBA expects all arenas to be at full capacity next season, and one step toward that effort is its new multi-year league-wide partnership with CLEAR to make COVID-19 health screening technology available to all 30 teams. Story:
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Floyd Mayweather is now 48-0.
But if you include the women he’s knocked out, his record is now... *fetches calculator"
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NEWS: NBA GMs and team health officials fear the compressed schedule is leading to a rash of injuries and that player health is reaching a boiling point. Story:
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#TheLastDance
is giving former Lakers strong flashbacks of Kobe Bryant's final season, which his own camera crew chronicled with unprecedented access. Sources say Kobe had watched edited material and provided feedback in the months before he passed. Story:
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Statement from PayPal, a sponsor of the Phoenix Suns, reads, in part:
"In light of the findings of the NBA's investigation, we will not renew our sponsorship should Robert Sarver remain involved with the Suns organization, after serving his suspension."
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NEWS: Data suggests that injuries (especially soft-tissue injuries) soared in the 2020-21 NBA season, and team health officials/execs say the carry-over effects will drive how player health is managed next season, too. Story with the great
@kpelton
:
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Miles Bridges pleads not guilty to domestic violence charges; next court appointment is scheduled for Aug. 19:
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The NBA is investigating possibly coordinating with national pharmacy chains to “to host on-site vaccination clinics for players, team and arena personnel, and household members at team facilities and arenas in the coming weeks," according to a league memo sent out today.
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The numbers continue to grow, but, as of this writing:
There have been 70 NBA players who’ve entered health and safety protocols this month (out of 86 all season), and 50 of them have entered in the past week (12/12-12/18) alone.
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The NBA and NBPA have agreed upon eased restrictions for those in the league who have been fully vaccinated, ESPN has learned. Teams were informed of the expanded benefits in a memo that was sent out tonight. Story to come.
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At the moment, Bridges remains unsigned, but, if he were to sign with a team, the NBA, under the collective bargaining agreement, has the right to suspend, fine, dismiss or disqualify him from any further association from the league because he pleaded no contest.
NEWS: Hornets restricted free agent Miles Bridges pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court and will face three years of probation and no jail time as part of a deal with prosecutors. ESPN story:
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NEWS: The Knicks are seeking more than $10 million in damages from the Raptors as part of the ongoing lawsuit and argued that Adam Silver shouldn't arbitrate the dispute in part because of his close relationship with Raptors governor Larry Tanenbaum.
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Coronavirus cases are surging in Florida and concern is growing around the NBA. New story from
@ZachLowe_NBA
and I:
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Magic Johnson on D’Angelo Russell: "We want to thank him for what he did for us. But what I needed was a leader.” Full quote:
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By my count, Maxi Kleber marks the 100th NBA player entry into H&S protocols in Dec. (A total of 97 players have entered this month, 3 of which entered for the 2nd time.) So far, there have been 113 total players enter into H&S protocols this season, w/ almost 86% coming in Dec.
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Cutting the crust off the NBA’s secret sandwich addiction — my ESPN The Mag feature on the league’s love of PB&J:
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NEWS: NBA and NBPA agree to eased restrictions for those in the league who have been fully vaccinated. Benefits include no longer having to quarantine following exposure to COVID-19, no longer having to wear masks at the practice facility and more. Story:
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NEWS: The lawyers leading the NBA's investigation into the Phoenix Suns and majority owner Robert Sarver have interviewed more than 300 individuals and are preparing to interview Sarver himself, sources tell ESPN.
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THREAD: "It's our biggest issue without a solution."
“It’s the dirty little secret that everybody knows about."
“I think in a couple years, it will be an issue that’s talked about [like] the NFL with the concussions.”
My latest, a two-year project:
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NEWS: Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver will be retiring as executive chairman from Western Alliance Bancorporation in June, ending a two-decade tenure with the nearly $56 billion asset company.
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On last night:
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NEWS: The sale of the Suns is expected to close Tuesday, sources tell ESPN. Mat Ishbia is buying a 57% controlling stake from Robert Sarver for $2.28 billion, sources said, with Sarver selling his 37% stake for $1.48 billion.
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Before last Tuesday, the single-day high for NBA players entering H&S protocols: five.
But there have now been double-digit additions for 4 straight days — and 5 of the last 6 days overall.
As of this writing, 64 players and a coach have entered protocols in the past 6 days.
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Single-day highs for NBA players entering into H&S protocols this season:
Tuesday: 13
Thursday: 11
Today: 10 (so far)
The previous high before Tuesday was five, which was 12/11 (last Saturday).
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NEW: On Andrew Wiggins breaking free from the long shadow of expectations and finding his place -- and peace -- in Golden State:
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Kobe said he’d go back & tell his younger self "to understand compassion & empathy." I asked why those two things:
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Lakers announce that a statue of Shaq will be unveiled at Star Plaza outside Staples Center prior to the Lakers game on March 24, 2017.
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NEW: “There are still senior executives who are currently on staff that have helped to foster this toxic workplace for the last 15-plus years with no culpability for their actions,” says one Phoenix Suns employee.
Our follow-up ESPN investigation:
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NEWS: There are vaccine mandates for NBA referees and for most team staff this season, but there won't be one for players, league sources tell
@wojespn
and me. Story:
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Full Shaq quote on his time at LSU: "Yes, they paid very well. Statute of limitations is up. I can talk about it...That’s right baby, LSU.”
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NEWS: Ten NBA refs are sidelined largely because of COVID-related issues, including veterans who typically officiate Finals games, ESPN has learned. It marks a high point of a season-long trend, with G League officials filling in more. Story:
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The NBA has now hit the triple-digit mark for new players entering their health and safety protocols in December.
By my count, 117 total NBA players have entered the league’s health and safety protocols this season, with 101 new players coming this month.
Sacramento Kings center Neemias Queta has entered the league's Covid protocols, sources tell ESPN.
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Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver has been suspended for one year from the Suns/Mercury, fined $10 million and must complete a training program focused on respect and appropriate conduct in the workplace, the NBA announces.
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NEWS: In an effort to hopefully avoid game disruptions, the NBA and NBPA are discussing a plan that would require teams decimated by COVID to sign additional replacement players. ESPN story with
@wojespn
:
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On the day the NBA announced its findings into the Phoenix Suns, some began retweeting the team's initial response -- a thread -- to the allegations from Oct. 2021.
Later that same day, some noted that the Suns' Twitter thread had been deleted.
Here are the screenshots:
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Phoenix Suns vice chairman and minority owner Sam Garvin has been appointed the interim governor of the team during majority owner Robert Sarver's one-year suspension, sources tell ESPN.
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NEWS: In the coming days, an ambitious new part of the NBA’s contact tracing program will go live, ESPN has learned, and it will require players and many team staffers to wear sensor devices during all team-organized activities outside of games. Details:
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NEWS: Mat Ishbia's purchase of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury at a $4 billion valuation is expected to become official in the next two weeks, with Ishbia assuming control prior to the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline, sources told
@wojespn
and me.
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“Playing outside,”
@JCrossover
says, “was always something special.” He honed his skill on the playground and calls it "the soul of the game." Now, rims are being boarded up, chained shut or removed nationwide.
On basketball's final refuge going dark:
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NEW: Health officials around NBA cautious of 12/22 start, largely because of 72-game slate & travel now involved. It’s tougher for those that just played & those that haven’t since March. “This is going to be another period of unchartered territory."
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NEWS: In recent comments to Phoenix Suns employees, NBA commissioner Adam Silver apologized multiple times on behalf of the league office for years of workplace misconduct under Suns majority owner Robert Sarver, sources tell ESPN. Story:
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NEWS: 60 NBA players have entered H&S protocols this season, including 43 in the past two weeks and 13 Tuesday, a new single-day high. Amid the uptick, the NBA and NBPA are in talks to increase COVID-19 testing. Story:
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Pop was asked what kind of qualities the Spurs look for when bringing people into their organization:
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NEWS: Former Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver is giving $20,000 bonuses to hundreds of Suns employees and is donating $5 million to the team's charity, sources tell ESPN. Employees learned of the news this morning.
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Among key findings: “Mr Sarver on at least five occasions during his tenure with the Suns/Mercury organization, repeated the N-word when recounting the statements of others.” Also: details of punishment for Sarver and additional requirements for the Suns/Mercury organization:
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Updated news story on the criminal summons, which ESPN obtained, issued Wednesday for suspended Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges:
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I spoke with
@kobebryant
about his latest project, how it unfolded and where it might lead him from here:
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When Klay said this line, I paused and told him how wise/insightful/beautiful/poetic/profound/thoughtful it was.
After a beat, he said, "It's kinda sad."
"The ball doesn't bounce forever."
I'm absolutely haunted by this
@KlayThompson
cameo of a quote in
@Baxter
's (excellent)
@espn
profile of
@StephenCurry30
.
This is some "Winter is coming"-type wisdom.
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Kevin Durant on the Warriors' culture built around Steph Curry: "If you come in here and you have an ego, or you think you're bigger than the team, the guy who we built this around is not. So maybe you need to go. You know what I'm saying?"
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LeBron comes back onto the court with a bottle of champagne and a cigar and waves to the Cavs fans still in their seats.
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If you're in any way connected to youth basketball, it's important to understand how the culture of perpetual competition is jeopardizing the futures of the very stars it hopes to create.
Part 1️⃣:
Part 2️⃣:
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Source familiar w/ Kings’ thinking: "Vivek thinks Buddy [Hield] has Steph Curry potential.” Am told that fixation was a key driver in deal.
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More from Steve Kerr on why Pop is so beloved around the league and on keeping the game in perspective, as Pop always preaches:
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Robert Sarver will be working with the NBA to appoint an interim governor for the Suns to serve during his one-year suspension, sources tell ESPN.
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As teams consider "essential" personnel for potential games, NBA GMs express deep concern about staffers with advanced age and/or underlying issues -- even head coaches. "I don't want to put them in harm's way," one NBA GM says. Story:
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NEWS: There have been 500+ COVID cases among Tier 1 NBA staff this season, with more than 450 coming in roughly the last month. A number of league GMs called it a debilitating behind-the-scenes issue. ESPN story:
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Sources: Lakers teammates 'isolating' D'Angelo Russell after video surfaces. Story from
@ESPNSteinLine
& myself:
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Before Dec. 14, the single-day high for NBA players entering into H&S protocols was five. But there have now been double-digit additions in six of the past eight days.
Over the span of the past eight days, 83 players have entered protocols – an average of about 10.4 per day.
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Riesling phases, wine cases & The Banana Boat Tasting Group. “Nobody talks about cars or jewelry or whatever,”
@itsgabrielleu
says. “It’s who can bring the best bottle of wine.” My ESPN The Mag feature on NBA stars' obsessive love of the gilded grape:
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It’s Nov. 15 and the Lakers have their 7th win of the 2016-17 season.
Last season’s Lakers didn’t earn their 7th win until Jan. 1.
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In short, youths are specializing in basketball and playing it all year long from ages as young as seven or earlier. By the time some reach the NBA, their bodies are simply worn down, many experts say. As one researcher told me, “Kids are broken by the time they get to college.”
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Nice RT
@jfdulac
: The
@sfchronicle
World Series fronts from 2014-2012-2010, via
@TimothyORourke
and
@Newseum
.
http://t.co/ZgijWSsC7O
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With all that said, here is part one of my series, which explains this issue and how we got here. It features commentary from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Kobe Bryant and many others. I hope you’ll make time for it.
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Even though Robert Sarver does not own the Phoenix Suns in full, sources told ESPN that Sarver has the authority, as the team's managing partner, to sell the team in full. Currently, Sarver owns about one-third of the team.
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Magic Johnson on Celtics getting top pick: "I still hate them."
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NEWS: Former Suns employees receive messages from Penny Sarver, the wife of the Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver. Said one: "I don't know how to interpret it other than as a threat.” Penny Sarver denies she was trying to intimidate anyone.
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Kobe & Rondo grabbed breakfast in Boston. KB loves him. LAL could probably get RR for two 1sts + Nash expiring deal.
http://t.co/PYeEt0zI04
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Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram was given Kobe Bryant's old locker: "[Lakers GM] Mitch [Kupchak] told me I had some big shoes to fill."
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