This lot closes on May 23rd, 2021 at 10:00 PM EDT for initial bids.

The 1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers were a team rebuilt, having acquired free agents Jerome Kersey while also trading Cedrick Ceballos to the Phoenix Suns for Robert Horry, while also drafting Derek Fisher. The biggest additions to the team were the signing of center Shaquille O’Neal and the acquiring of Kobe Bryant via trade during the 1996 NBA Draft which would form the nucleus that would bring the Lakers three consecutive NBA titles during the early 2000s. The Lakers came out strong during the first half of the season, heading into the All-Star break with the best record in the Western Conference behind solid play of 1997 All-Star selections O’Neal and Eddie Jones, but slipped during the second half to finish second in the Pacific Division with a record of 56-26. The Lakers, who boasted the eighth best defense in the league, held the Dallas Mavericks to just two points in the third quarter of their April 6th, 1997 game, the fewest points in a quarter of a game in NBA history. The Lakers would defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in four games during the first round but lost in the Conference Semifinals to the Utah Jazz in five games.

Presented here is a 1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers team signed warm-up shirt signed by 10 members of the team including a signature of the late Kobe Bryant. The 100% cotton gold and purple pullover warm-up shirt features white stripes down the lateral sides of the jersey and purple and white trim on collar. A Champion “C” logo is embroidered on the left sleeve. The “LOS ANGELES LAKERS” logo is displayed across the chest in purple, white, and gold tackle twill. A Champion NBA “THIS IS THE OFFICIAL SHOOTING SHIRT OF THE NBA” manufacturer tag is attached to the shirt’s left front tail. “LAKERS” is embroidered in purple across the back of the warm-up shirt. The 10 signatures were signed on the front of the warm-up shirt with a black marker and include Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, Byron Scott, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Eddie Jones, Travis Knight, Corrie Blount, Elden Campbell, Sean Rooks and Nick Van Exel. The signatures are bold, and the warm-up shirt is in great condition. The warm-up shirt signed by 10 members of the Los Angeles Lakers 1996-97 team comes with an LOA from PSA/DNA (AH06322) for the signatures.

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