In spite of the fact that Brandon Ingram had a subpar preseason, Ingram and the Los Angeles Lakers’ organization believe in what the young man can accomplish.
When the Los Angeles Lakers snagged Brandon Ingram in the NBA draft last year, some thought he was the next Kevin Durant. On the other hand, not every opinion corresponded with that prediction.
The secondary opinions did not mean to suggest Ingram had no potential. However, his wiry, Spiderman-esque build exhibited that his potential was not going to be seen instantly.
The raw talent was never in question, yet some questioned his ability to score with authority nightly. They suspected that a thinner frame would surely prevent him from driving to the rack (which was certainly the case here and there).
The latter did hold true last season until the last couple months or so. Prior to that, the lanky ballplayer was fairly inconsistent and hesitant with the rock when it came to the offensive end of the floor.
Unfortunately, a similar tune has carried itself into the forthcoming season. Through his first four preseason appearances, the 20-year-old was averaging less than ten points per game.
By virtue of the 26-point performance he had in Summer League, many thought he had turned a corner. On the flip side, many did not consider the differential in overall competition. Summer League ballplayers are typically a couple notches below what NBA competition brings to the table.
It is not to assert that Brandon has not been trying. Be that as it may, much of BI’s preseason consisted of him trying too hard.
Yes, as silly as that sounds, the sophomore seemed to be forcing the issue through his first four appearances.
Amidst Ingram’s slump, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson was not afraid to confront the young man.
In a recent post by Maurice Bobb of Bleacher Report, Bobb shared the perspective Brandon gained from the abovementioned encounter with Magic.
"“Magic told me last night [that] he hasn’t seen me have fun yet,” Ingram said. “I’m just trying to go out there, relax a little bit and just play my game.”"
When the small forward plays his game, the results that transpired in the later stages of last season come to fruition.
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Thankfully, the same thing occurred in Friday night’s preseason finale. Against the Clippers, Ingram shot 60 percent from the field with 15 points. BI also managed to pick up five dimes and four boards in the game as well.
This particular performance was clearly Ingram’s strongest in his five preseason showings. It was a lot more reminiscent of what Johnson hopes to see from the youngster on a regular basis.
It is common knowledge that the 1980s floor general craves for BI to average around 20 points a game this season. While such an expectation is great, the Clippers contest gave a glimpse of the work Ingram put in over the summer.
Even supposing that hard work, though, the Lakers’ second year asset is by no means content. He has faith that he can still play better according to a report from Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation.
"“I set even higher and higher expectations for myself,” [Ingram] said. “That’s why I feel like I can live up to it.”"
That being said, L.A. fans will continue to keep their eyes firmly fixated on the Duke product. After a shaky rookie campaign, they will demand a bump in his numbers in 2017-2018.
By and large, this is plausible to expect. Given that he did not average double-digits in points in year one, getting above that would be a minimum standard.
At the same time, though, the expectations should be somewhat condensed in the earlier parcels of the year. BI is only a sophomore, so growing pains are bound to emerge.
Head coach Luke Walton comprehends this reality, too, via what an article from The Orange County Register’s Bill Oram insinuates.
"“With all players, the stress and the pressure can add up and sometimes get in your way,” Coach Luke Walton said. “With Brandon, there’s a lot of expectations on him and a lot of people forget he’s 20 years old and going into his second season in the NBA.“Not many people bloom into All-Stars in their second year.”"
Provided what Walton said, it may be best to establish a middle ground for BI right now. Improvement is expected—absolutely. However, the improvement may very well be gradual at first.
20 plus points per game may be a bit much to expect. Regardless of that stance, the 20-year-old Laker is definitely eager to get going.
The pressure Luke referenced appears to be a motivational ingredient for BI, and once Ingram learns how to channel it effectively, he could start to become the guy that some thought he could be from the get-go.
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It will be interesting to see how things translate once the actual season kicks off. Walton (and the rest) sense All-Star caliber potential in the small forward.
Likewise, Ingram’s comments hint that his ceiling may carry few limits. If he simply allows the game to come to him more, his sophomore season should be a lot prettier than the original.