Brandon Ingram’s game is different from what the NBA wants
There are two ways of looking at a player’s potential the NBA game today. The first one is what everyone in the NBA talks about…the analytical way. The other way of looking at potential is based on the eye test. Both are helpful, but mostly analytics is the option that most people look at.
Golden State has led the evolution of using the 3-point shot as a major weapon in their offense. The Houston Rockets just took it to an absurd level and uses almost to exclusivity.
The problem is, there are players that are shooting this shot but everyone in the building knows they can’t shoot. There are two young players in the NBA that are playing within their limits and are very successful. One is Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The other…Brandon Ingram…
Here are all of Brandon Ingram's 12 made shots tonight
— Laker Film Room (@LakerFilmRoom) January 8, 2019
10 of them were at the rim
9 of them were in transition or off an early offense action like Pistol pic.twitter.com/iTVj40Tv9S
If you watch the entire video, you see something that is lost in today’s NBA…the high percentage shot. Time and time again you would see the Lakers put the ball in Ingram’s hands and let him do his thing. What is wrong with driving the ball in the lane for a layup? I mean is that a problem?
DeMar DeRozan is a star with the San Antonio Spurs with the mid-range game.
Would you be surprised that Klay Thompson is shooting more mid range jumpers this year?
With Ingram’s newfound mastery of the Manu Ginobli trademarked “Eurostep” you can see with Ingram’s reach, he can get to the basket more often than not. I can’t see why fans are criticizing this guy for bailing out defenses with a 3-point shot that is not reliable at this point in his career.
Now that free throw shooting thing? Okay you have me there!
For the critics that talk about Ingram’s offensive struggles in the last two games, I have an answer for that as well…
Notice all of these plays are mostly fast break possessions where he can make quick decisions to probe the defense. This is not as effective in the half court. Especially when Kuzma, Rondo and LeBron are not on the court. The defenses can load up and contain him.
That’s one of the reasons why the Lakers want the pace sped up.
No I did not forget the other guy in the conversation…