Lakers: Brandon Ingram Ranks Third on ESPN’s Rookie of the Year Predictions

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver holds a basketball while posing for a photo with draft prospects from left Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) , Ben Simmons (LSU), Brandon Ingram (Duke) and Kris Dunn (Providence) before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver holds a basketball while posing for a photo with draft prospects from left Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) , Ben Simmons (LSU), Brandon Ingram (Duke) and Kris Dunn (Providence) before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers’ rookie, Brandon Ingram, is projected to be the second runner up for the Rookie of the Year award

On Wednesday, ESPN continued their “NBA: 2016-17 Summer Forecast,” this time breaking down their favorites for the Rookie of the Year award.

In a quick rundown of how the ranking system works, over 200 voters make their picks with “with a first-place vote receiving five points, a second-place vote receiving three and a third-place vote receiving one.”

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This panel is said to be made up of “210 members who contribute to ESPN’s NBA coverage in a wide, diverse variety of roles” but judging by their empty list, they could all be Michael Wilbon for all we know. Only kidding…

The rankings have first overall pick, Ben Simmons at the top of the leader board with 35 first place votes, Kris Dunn second overall with eight first place votes, and Brandon Ingram coming in third with only three first place votes.

Personally, I’m not mad at the rankings, though I do think that Kris Dunn is going to take it all. In regards to Brandon Ingram, I can see a third place finish also realistically happening.

Playing in a new system, with a new coach, behind budding stars D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson will be hard especially when you’re a player who likes to “feel things out,” before jumping right into things. It’s not going to be Kobe Bryant farewell tour, Byron Scott coaching hard, but it’ll still be a battle.

Other votes received include Buddy Hield, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, who I guess the NBA is still considering a rookie since he hasn’t played a game yet… Poor Julius.

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Again, just like their recent power rankings, they are just predictions, Who knows what will actually end up happening during the hustle and bustle of the regular season, but my bet’s on Kris Dunn winning Rookie of the Year.