Los Angeles Lakers: Is Brandon Ingram the biggest ball-hog in NBA?
When I watch a Los Angeles Lakers game, it seems like the same thing happens every time Brandon Ingram gets the ball. Do the advanced stats back up what I see from Ingram? Let’s find out.
For anyone looking for in-depth statistics for the Los Angeles Lakers or NBA in general, there are many great advanced stats at www.stats.nba.com. Two of those advanced statistics are average frontcourt touches and average seconds per touch.
There are 29 players in the NBA who average over 30 front court touches per game and average are least three seconds per touch. Three of those players, Stephen Curry, Caris LeVert and Victor Oladipo, do not currently qualify for statistical leaderboards, but once they play enough games, they would qualify.
But, what does all of this mean? These are the players who have the ball in their hands the most on offense in the NBA.
This list includes some big named players, such as Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeMar DeRozan and teammate, LeBron James. The list is littered with All-Star level players, which isn’t all that surprising. Teams want the ball in their hands of the best players as often as possible.
In addition to being great players, all 29 players, for the most part, are excellent play-makers. But, is there anybody from the list above that doesn’t excel at setting up his teammates? There are three players who average only two assists per game.
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
1. Tobias Harris: 2.3 APG
2. CJ McCollum: 2.3 APG
3. You guessed it, Brandon Ingram: 2.3 APG
There you have it: CJ McCollum, Tobias Harris, and Brandon Ingram are the three biggest ball-hogs in the NBA.
In Brandon Ingram’s defense, he is the 2nd youngest player on this list, so perhaps he’s being asked to do too much at the age of 21. With that said, his selfishness is taking a toll on the Lakers.
Before Rajon Rondo got injured, the Lakers had a top-5 offense. Afterward, LA’s offense has plummeted all the way down to 19th in the league. That’s because Ingram pounds the ball and then hoists up contested 2-pointers instead of looking to get his teammates involved.
Brandon Ingram has two major weaknesses in his offensive game, which really hinder his ability to pass the ball effectively. First, when Ingram has the ball, he doesn’t work out of the pick-and-roll, which would allow him to set up his teammates. Second, when he drives to the basket he isn’t capable of passing to open shooters.
I’ve noticed over the last few games, every time Ingram gets the ball in his hands the other Lakers players on the court stop moving, sag their shoulders, and wait for Ingram to shoot the ball.
Next. 5 Players The Lakers Should Consider Trading For. dark
The Lakers strength of schedule remains weak for the next month, so the Lakers should be able to keep winning with their defense, but if the Lakers want to become a true contender in the Western Conference, Ingram must learn to swing the ball to the other four players on the court.