Conclusions
In sum, in many respects, both Brandon Ingram and Giannis Antetokounmpo had very similar rookie seasons.
This is evidenced by the fact that when accounting for variance in playing time, their per 36 minutes numbers show only a minuscule difference as they averaged almost the same number of points, rebounds, and assists per game.
Further, both athletes showed defensive potential in their first seasons in the NBA, as they were at times asked to guard all five positions on the court, and did so with reasonable effectiveness.
However, despite these similar stats, this does not mean that they are the same player, as there are a few important distinctions between them.
The main difference is the way they scored the basketball, as Ingram is perceived to be more of a shooter, whereas Giannis was, and still is, more likely to drive inside, relying less on his jump-shot to be effective offensively.
Moreover, although they are both tall and lean players with phenomenal wingspans, the Greek Freak has a level of athleticism that Ingram is unlikely to match.
This may marginally hinder his success going forward both on defense as he lacks the same lateral quickness and agility. Offensively it could impact him if he is unable to find a consistent jumper down the line.
This is crucial as he may find it more difficult to get to the rim despite shooting a reasonable percentage when getting there.
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Nonetheless, if Ingram is able to fill out his body and become stronger while continuing to work on all facets of his game, it is possible that the Lakers could have a player that closely mirrors the numbers, if not the play style, of the 2016-2017 most improved player, Giannis Antetokounmpo in the future.
*Statistical data courtesy of basketball-reference.com, draftexpress.com, espn.com, nba.com, and sports-reference.com*