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Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram is growing into a star

By Phillip Hawkins

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In his second season, Brandon Ingram is showing signs that he is emerging as a potential star for the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was a year ago when the Los Angeles Lakers used their number two draft pick to take Brandon Ingram.  After a rookie year of not reaching expectations, now Ingram is living up to the hype.

With Magic Johnson saying he wants Ingram to average 20 points a game, it looks like that just might happen.  It isn’t just his scoring that’s improved, but overall he’s showing signs of becoming LA’s next star.

Scoring

Averaging only 9.4 points a game in his rookie year, Ingram’s scoring has grown the most in his second season.  Already dropping a career high 32 points against Golden State this year, he’s become much more of an offensive threat.  Averaging 16.2 points a game, which is second on the team, his points increase is huge for the team.  Scoring seven more points a game is a great jump in just one season.  If he keeps playing at a high level he will be a terror in the coming years.

Rebounding

At 6’9″ with a huge wingspan, getting boards should come easy for Ingram.  He only averaged four rebounds a game in his rookie year.  But, in his second year that number has grown quite a bit as well.  This season averaging 5.6 rebounds a game, attacking the glass brings another dimension to his game.  His ability to get rebounds and push the ball up the floor makes the team tougher to defend.  As his career goes on, expect Ingram to average even more rebounds per game.

Aggression

After his rookie year one of the main knocks on Ingram was his aggression going to the basket.  This year it’s almost as if he is a completely different player.

Attempting less threes per game and driving more his shooting percentage has risen.  Slashing and getting to the rim has been a go to move for Ingram this season.  His aggression, taking better shots, is helping the Lakers significantly.  If he can continue playing with the aggression he is now, he will be the face of the franchise for years to come.

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Just 27 games into the year, the team as a whole has a lot of growing to do.  With a young team growth is as Luke Walton can ask for.  We’ll see if Ingram can post another career-high Monday when the Lakers face Golden State at home.

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