As of late, Kevin Durant has had nothing but good things to say about the Los Angeles Lakers’ players and their organization
Team USA camp is finally underway in Las Vegas providing three of the Lakers’ youngsters — D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram — with invaluable time playing against and learning from the premier players in the NBA.
For Russell, his possible muses on the roster likely include Kyrie Irving and Kyle Lowry, for Randle it has to be Draymond Green and perhaps even DeMarcus Cousins, but for rookie Brandon Ingram, his eyes definitely radiate to one player alone: Kevin Durant.
Kevin Durant on @B_Ingram13: “First person I can say, that I can look at him & feel like I’m looking in the mirror.” pic.twitter.com/1EDSgsrPfu
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 19, 2016
Though he often mentioned “The Iceman,” George Gervin as one of his inspirations, pre-draft Ingram’s NBA comparison was most often KD and for good reason. Long and athletic with the ball handling and shooting abilities of a guard, the comparison was ripe for the picking.
Durant recently spoke highly of the Lakers organization saying, “I really respect their team, but I think they’re a couple years away from where I want to be” and even praised LA’s newest rookie.
Asked Kevin Durant about Brandon Ingram today and he said Ingram's even farther along than he was at that age, really impressed.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 19, 2016
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For KD not only to say that he was “really impressed” by Ingram, but more so, that he was “farther along than he was at that age,” should be extremely encouraging for fans, especially to those who were a little underwhelmed by Ingram’s performance during the recent Vegas Summer League.
Dissimilar from standout teammate, D’Angelo Russell who had problems with forcing the issue during last year’s summer league, Ingram appears to be testing the waters before fully diving into the player fans hope he’ll become.
On various occasions, Ingram showed exactly why the Lakers were reportedly set on taking him first overall had they won the lottery, however, he still has a ways to go before he can even be mentioned in the same tier as Kevin Durant.
Next: D'Angelo Russell's Journey From Meme to Team USA Select
Team USA represents yet another opportunity for Brandon Ingram and the rest of the Lakers to show the organization and fans what they can expect heading into next season so we’ll be sure to update you as news becomes available.