Lakers: 3 Takeaways From the Preseason Opener vs Kings

Brandon Ingram looked like a rookie in his first NBA preseason game

As fans learned last year, even the No. 2 overall pick in the draft is going to need some time to shine.

Anyone expecting Brandon Ingram to go off for 81 points in his first game with the Purple and Gold was thoroughly disappointed, as the rookie finished the game with only 2 points on 0-5 shooting in his 27 minutes of play.

His 2 points came from a pair of free throws, another area where he struggled only making 50 percent. All of this is  to expected of a rookie, even he was taken with the No. 2 pick.

However, Ingram wasn’t unwatchable as he made his presence known on the defensive end with his long 7’3 wingspan.

That block was Ingram’s lone highlight of the night, but he doesn’t care as long as he is making an impact on the game.

Ingram will come off the bench to start the season, as we saw yesterday, and that’s likely where he will stay unless his shots start falling.

Yes, he is expected to struggle early on, but if he fails to make any contribution with the second unit, who led the charge to the win last night, he might see his playing time drop even more.

Anthony Brown, who also plays small forward, shot a perfect 4-4 from the field in the dying minutes of the game. Brown was drafted with the hope that he could be the prototypical “3-and-D” guy the Lakers desperately need.

Brown has the advantage of already having a year in the NBA under his belt, and being for years older than Ingram. Ingram has already made it clear that he hopes to crack the starting lineup this season, but he has to earn it.

Ingram and the rest of the team will have another opportunity to showcase their talent next game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Next: 3 Things To Watch for in the Lakers Preseason Opener

This will be Ingram’s first time playing in front of the home crowd at Staples Center, so hopefully that motivates him and the team to play their best basketball of the preseason.