Hoops Habit
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram’s development comes with questions

By Quentin Haynes

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 08: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers wears a #VegasStrong T-shirt during warmups to honor victims of last Sunday's mass shooting before the team's preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at T-Mobile Arena on October 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. On October 1, Stephen Paddock killed at least 58 people and injured more than 450 after he opened fire on a large crowd at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival. The massacre is one of the deadliest mass shooting events in U.S. history. Los Angeles won 75-69. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 08: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers wears a #VegasStrong T-shirt during warmups to honor victims of last Sunday's mass shooting before the team's preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at T-Mobile Arena on October 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. On October 1, Stephen Paddock killed at least 58 people and injured more than 450 after he opened fire on a large crowd at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival. The massacre is one of the deadliest mass shooting events in U.S. history. Los Angeles won 75-69. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

In the early stages of his second season, Brandon Ingram has struggled for the Los Angeles Lakers.

There is a major question being asked about the Los Angeles Lakers‘ other No. 2 overall draft pick.

For the majority of the preseason, the majority of the talk was about Lonzo Ball. His potential impact, his ability to play and create right away and how is ability would help accelerate Los Angeles’ rebuilding process. However, I always figured the Lakers would truly be moving in the right direction if both Ball and Brandon Ingram created an impact.

Ingram, the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, was and remains a physical specimen: 6’9″ with a monstrous wingspan and a beautiful shooting stroke. In his lone season at Duke, Ingram flashed a bit of everything. He shot 41 percent from beyond the arc, he showed an advanced ability to handle the ball and the ability to defend on the perimeter.

As a rookie, however, Ingram’s start was slow. For his age, he looked like a nice passer and overall ball-handler, but he rated out as one of the worst defensive players in the league — on a bad team, but still — and his jump shot was noticeably missing from his arsenal. Despite his regular season averages — 9.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on 40 percent shooting — many believed Ingram would take that step forward in his second season.

So far this season, Ingram is averaging 14.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 39 percent from the floor. It’s early, very early, but some of those same concerns are there with his overall game. Outside of his performance against the Phoenix Suns, Ingram is averaging 10 points and shooting well under 40 percent from the field and 30 percent from three.

On the defensive end, it still feels like much of the same with Ingram. He’s smart on that end, but he doesn’t have quick feet and still stands upright. That nullifies his wingspan at times and makes him less of a defender overall. There’s still upside there, as Ingram is just 20 years old, but he’s someone who needs to continue to develop as a defender with his overall timing on that end.

More from Hoops Habit

His shooting is still questionable at this stage as well. It’s a small sample size, but Ingram is shooting just 37 percent on 2-point shots. His 50 percent shooting from 3-point ragne is buoyed by his one good shooting game. The jumper looks good coming off the hand, but so far in his career, Ingram’s jump shot has been questionable and hinders his upside. If he can’t shoot with consistency, what is his upside?

Ultimately, the Los Angeles Lakers have to be patient with Ingram. For all the potential negatives, he’s shown the ability to be a great passer and ball-handler. Having a second player on the floor who can operate the pick-and-roll could be beneficial. He also still has a chance as a catch-and-shoot option off of Lonzo Ball.

The Los Angeles Lakers are 1-2 and in the midst of another development season. We’ve already talked about the Lonzo Ball spectrum, but Brandon Ingram’s development is just as important. With Ball being the point guard of the future, Ingram has to develop into a perimeter wing who can affect the game on both sides of the floor.

Next: 2017-18 Week 2 NBA Power Rankings

The development is slow, but the Lakers must continue to keep up the development of Brandon Ingram.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers