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Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram offers advice to Lonzo Ball

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Brandon Ingram #14 and Lonzo Ball #2 of the USA team pose for a portrait prior to the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game during All-Star Friday Night as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the STAPLES Center on February 16, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Brandon Ingram #14 and Lonzo Ball #2 of the USA team pose for a portrait prior to the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game during All-Star Friday Night as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the STAPLES Center on February 16, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers small forward Brandon Ingram offered up some advice for teammate Lonzo Ball this offseason.

The outlook for the Los Angeles Lakers future is very bright. They have a young core that improved as the season went on, showing glimpses of what could come in the future. Two of the important pieces to that future are small forward Brandon Ingram and point guard, Lonzo Ball.

Ingram finished up his second season in the NBA and showed great strides. After struggling to adjust to the NBA throughout most of his rookie season, Ingram looked like a different player in Year Two.

He carried himself with more confidence. The work he put in during the offseason was paying off, as Ingram was attacking the basket and finishing around the rim with more efficiency. The Lakers are hopeful he can take the next step in his development in his third season.

As for Ball, there may not have been a rookie with more pressure than he. His outspoken father, LaVar Ball, put a lot of pressure on him with some of the things he said during interviews and TV spots.

Despite all of that, Ball had a strong rookie season. Many people focused on the negative, questioning his shooting form and poor shooting percentages. Not taking into account everything else he did on the court is not making a fair assessment.

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Ball still had a great impact on the game despite his poor shooting numbers. He still averaged 7.2 assists, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. His ability to lead the offense was impressive, as his playmaking and passing was on full display. Ball also had an unexpected impact defensively, an area he was expected to struggle in.

Arguably the biggest takeaway for Ball this season was his inability to remain healthy. Ball played only 52 games in his rookie season, missing time with a shoulder injury, knee sprain and knee bruise.

Getting his body right will be imperative to Ball finding success at this level. It is a topic that Ingram offered some advice on during his exit interview.

"“Just work on his body. In both of our seasons this year, we missed a whole bunch of games. I think the main focus is to be on the court next year so you can really go out there and show your talent and how you can affect the team,” Ingram said.“We have to play a little bit more so he can get used to the speed of the game so he can shoot the basketball better.”"

When Ball and Ingram were on the court the Lakers were a better team. With both of them sidelined, the Lakers were left with very little in the way of playmaking. At times this season, Ingram was actually the point guard when Ball was sidelined, so not having both hurt.

Ingram also struggled with injuries this season. After playing 79 games as a rookie, he was on the court for only 59 his sophomore season. A concussion and groin issue were the biggest problems Ingram dealt with this season.

Last offseason, Ingram worked hard on improving his body to better ready himself for the grind of the season. He worked hard in the gym and revamped his diet as well. Ball would be smart to follow suit and work hard on improving his body as well.

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If you are unable to stay on the court, you are unable to help the team win games. As Ingram stated, staying on the court next season should be a main focus. Attaining that goal starts with the work being put in during the offseason.

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