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Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram shares lessons learned as a rookie

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 7: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball under pressure from Skal Labissiere #3 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center April 7, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 7: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball under pressure from Skal Labissiere #3 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center April 7, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers small forward Brandon Ingram learned a lot in his rookie season and is hoping it helps him improve in Year 2.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been very lucky in the NBA Lottery in recent years. For three consecutive seasons, the Lakers had the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft. In the 2016 NBA Draft, they used that pick on Duke small forward, Brandon Ingram.

Ingram has as high a ceiling as any prospect in his draft class. The Lakers were very impressed with him throughout the draft process, as he drew comparisons to superstars such as Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetenkoumpo. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Ingram got off to a rough start.

The start of his rookie season did not go well for Ingram. The adjustment to the NBA game is something that takes some time to get used to, and the learning curve was tough for Ingram. Part of the issue could have been put on the team, as the Lakers had Ingram playing as their backup point guard at times in the first half.

It is tough enough for a rookie to adjust to the NBA, but to learn a new position as well makes it that much tougher. It was an experiment eventually scrapped by the Lakers, but it was a good learning experience for Ingram.

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While he did struggle, it was something he went at full steam ahead. He did not back down from the challenge of learning a new position, and it should help him down the road in his NBA career. It was one of the many lessons that Ingram learned in his rookie season.

Ingram would pick things up in the second half of the season. Once the Lakers committed to their youth movement, Ingram saw his production and confidence improve.

Ingram averaged 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists after the All-Star break. That strong finish was enough to propel Ingram onto the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. It is an honor to receive such recognition, but Ingram didn’t think his rookie season was all that great.

When asked to evaluate his rookie year, Ingram said it was only okay. He did, however, say that a lot of lessons were learned in the process.

"“I learned a lot of lessons. I think I went in not really knowing what to expect,” he said. “Every single game I learned something new, how to be better prepared, what it takes to get into a groove.”"

That would seem to be true with the second half that Ingram put together. The more he played, the better he began to look on the court. Ingram shot an impressive 47.5 percent from the field after the All-Star break, a huge increase from his pre-All-Star break 36.3 percent from the field.

Ingram not only turned things around offensively, he also picked things up on defense as well. After having only 26 steals in 58 games prior to the All-Star break, he racked up 24 in 21 games after it.

The Lakers are hoping Ingram can carry that momentum from the second half over into his sophomore campaign. The Lakers will be relying more on Ingram this season, and he believes the lessons learned will help him be better this season.

"“Overall, I learned a lot of different things last year. I’ve taken those lessons and broken them down into different aspects this summer to improve my game,” Ingram said. “Now, I can come back better next season.”"

Next: 5 Bold Predictions For Lakers 2017-18 Season

Ingram certainly looked like he put those lessons to good use. He has been praised for the improvements to his jump shot and dominated the game he played at the Las Vegas Summer League. If he can perform close to that in the regular season, the Lakers will undoubtedly improve this season.

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