Don’t let late season injuries overshadow Brandon Ingram’s progress
2. Defense continues to be a positive
Even if Brandon Ingram’s offense never improved in the NBA from college, his defensive abilities and potential would be enough to keep him in the league to carve out a long career. Head coach Luke Walton stated very early in his rookie season that Ingram reminded him of Trevor Ariza, and that was strictly based on his liking of the “contact and fighting.”
More from Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
- A surprise LeBron ranking should raise alarm bells for the Lakers
- Surprising Austin Reaves contract detail confirms Lakers got him for a steal
- Instant Grades for the Lakers’ unprecedented Anthony Davis extension
- Report: Lakers have big plans for recent top-10 pick amid roster shakeup
Ingram continued to impress on the defensive end of the court this season, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a top-10 defense before injuries plagued the team. His versatility remains his greatest strength on this end, but his competitiveness and willingness to guard the opponent’s best player on the perimeter when the game is on the line impressed as well.
Defensive stats are not how I judge impact or effectiveness on that side of the ball, so his 0.6 steals per game and 0.8 blocks per game are numbers that don’t tell me the full story, especially since he spends a great deal of his time chasing players around the perimeter. These stats don’t tell the full story of how his length alters shots and passes.
What excites me about Ingram’s defensive potential is there is already a solid floor for his ability. He has the size and length to grow into an anchor of a defense on the perimeter with the capabilities to slide in paint and protect it. Package his frame with his competitiveness and the Lakers have to be ecstatic with the defensive output this season.