Los Angeles Lakers: Fallout from Rajon Rondo’s injury

Ingram to the point

An impressive trend from last season that has yet to find footing this season has been Brandon Ingram at the point guard.

Ingram’s scoring numbers have slightly dipped despite more scoring around him, but his assists numbers have nearly been cut in half to 2.0 assists per game after last season’s 3.9 dimes per game.

There are benefits to having Ingram run your offense. He is best attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line, which requires having the ball in his hands. Also, he can see over the on-ball defender, read the defense and make the right pass, something very underrated about his game.

With no other true point guards on the roster outside of Lonzo Ball, Ingram is expected to see minutes at the point guard position. This is the lone positive about Rondo’s injury.

Surrounding Ingram with three or four shooters and putting the ball in his hands unlocks everything great about his game. The driving lanes open, which gives him drive and kick options or allows him to attack the rim.

This simplifies the game so much for Ingram and elevates the bench unit when he orchestrates it.

Defensively there won’t be issues since he already defends point guards and every other position along the wing. Actually, Ingram replacing Rondo gives the Lakers length advantages and allows them to switch on the perimeter when they utilize that defensive strategy.

Lance Stephenson is projected to take some minutes at the point guard position as well, and everybody loves when Lance makes ’em dance. LeBron James and Lonzo Ball will also shoulder more responsibility in Rondo’s absence.

But Brandon Ingram reclaiming minutes at the point guard position is the main fallout from Rondo missing time.