Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons to feel optimistic about the future

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Brandon Ingram’s superstar potential

Finding a top-20 talent in the draft might be the single most important factor in winning a championship in the NBA.

Here are the last ten NBA champions:

2018: Golden State Warriors, they drafted Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
2017: Golden State Warriors, they drafted Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers, they drafted LeBron James
2015: Golden State Warriors, they drafted Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
2014: San Antonio Spurs, they acquired Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan
2013: Miami Heat, they drafted Dwayne Wade
2012: Miami Heat, they drafted Dwayne Wade
2011: Dallas Mavericks, they drafted Dirk Nowitzki
2010: Los Angeles Lakers: they drafted Kobe Bryant
2009: Los Angeles Lakers: they drafted Kobe Bryant

When a team drafts a superstar, it essentially means that they’re going to have control of that top-20 player for at least the next seven years, because no player turns down a max-extension coming off their rookie contract. That gives the lucky team almost a full decade to build a quality roster around their superstar, and that’s what it takes to win at the highest level in the NBA.

This fact is why the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks are so excited right now. Both teams might have found superstars in Trae Young and Luka Doncic. Those two players could help propel their teams into championship contention.

Should Lakers fans also feel enthusiastic about Brandon Ingram? Can he turn into a top-20 player?

Yes, he can.

After the All-Star break, Brandon Ingram gave a glimpse of what type of player he can become. He averaged 28 PPG, 8 RPG, and 3 APG while shooting 53% from deep. Those numbers are impressive, but it’s his mindset that should have Lakers fans giggling for joy.

During the early stages of the 2018-2019 season, Brandon Ingram had the confidence to wave off LeBron James in a way that no other Lakers player would dare.

In October, November, and December Ingram missed too many contested mid-range jumpers, but the fact that he continued to take those shots instead of deferring to LeBron means something. As 2018 turned into 2019, Ingram started making more of those difficult shots, not just from mid-range, but from every level on the court.

During February and March, Ingram’s confidence reached an all-time high and he started to resemble the greatest competitor the NBA has ever seen, Kobe Bryant.

There were dozens of times during Brandon’s last 20 games of the season when he’d get the ball, size his man up, make a decisive move off the dribble, shoot, and score. Then, the next play he’d repeat the process. Then, the next time he got the ball in his hands he’d attack his man and score again.

His ability to put the ball in the hoop from anywhere on the court resembled Kobe Bryant more than any player to wear the purple and gold in the last few years, that includes LeBron James.

Ingram has that special look in his eye. That look that only the best players have. He doesn’t care about the noise around him, he doesn’t care if he misses ten shots in a row, and he doesn’t care what you think about him. He really believes that he’s better than the guy guarding him and that he can score on him at will.

Ingram’s mentality is the polar-opposite of Anthony Davis’s mindset. AD doesn’t have that “IT” factor that Ingram possesses. In the next three years, there’s a very good chance Brandon Ingram will become a better player than Anthony Davis. If I were Rob Pelinka and the Pelicans offered me Anthony Davis in a trade for just Brandon Ingram, I’d say no.

All the hype surrounding Anthony Davis would have you believe he’s a top-5 player, but shouldn’t one of the greatest talents in the NBA at least be able to help his team make the playoffs? AD has played in 11 playoff games in seven seasons in the NBA.

Anthony Davis isn’t even a top-10 player in the NBA. Here’s a list of the best players in the league. These players are all capable of dragging their respective teams into the playoffs.

AD puts up nice numbers, but there’s nothing behind them. His teammates visibly hate him, he’s not clutch, he isn’t capable of getting his own shot whenever he wants, and he doesn’t have the type of gravity that emanates from the best players.

Right now, of course, AD is a better overall player than Brandon Ingram, but Brandon works harder than anyone in the league and his desire to be the best courses through his veins rendering everything else outside of basketball meaningless.

Brandon Ingram is the biggest reason why Lakers fans should smile and feel reassured about the future of the Purple and Gold. Ingram has that extra something inside of him that so many talented players like Anthony Davis lack. Ingram’s only 21 years, but I’d be willing to bet that by the time he’s 24, he’ll be one of the best two-way players in the NBA.

Next. 3 Ways Brandon Ingram Can Improve This Offseason. dark

Brandon Ingram will be someone capable of making any top-10 players list when he’s in his prime, and he’ll also be someone with the ability to lead the Lakers to the promised land.

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