Brandon Ingram is a 6’9″ long and lean all-court basketball playing dude. He combines guard skills with the height and length of a big man. Watch any highlight reel of him playing the game — be it in high school or in his lone year at Duke — and there’s a smooth, almost regal way to how he plays the game. After the selection was made, Mitch Kupchak said Ingram “has no ceiling” as a player.
This sort of high praise paired with what we see on the court, plus the stories of his work ethic and character, inspire a level of excitement that is not often felt. Allowing for a brief tangent, I love D’Angelo Russell and think he has the ability to be a truly fantastic player. During Thursday’s draft coverage when analyst after analyst tried to find ways to trade or discard Russell as if he wasn’t good…I found it comical. Ingram, and the total package he possesses, might excite me even more than Russell. Which is saying something.
A balance must be struck, though.
For all I envision Ingram will become, he is not that player yet. The weaknesses he possesses now are ones which will be taken advantage of at the NBA level. His frame lacks the needed weight and ballast to anchor both offensively and defensively. His strength deficiency will show up in countless ways on the court — on the backboards, when holding off defenders to make contested catches, when making cuts and trying to stay on path when defenders bump him…I could go on and on.
His long strides will aid him in the open court and when beating closeouts off the dribble, but may be a detriment when chasing defensively, especially shooting small forwards who run off multiple picks. There will need to be improvement to get his handle tighter and lower, in his offensive and defensive footwork, in his defensive fundamentals and awareness.
I bring this up not to harp on the kid, but to say this is not only okay, it is expected. He is only 18 years old and maturing is not just assumed, it is assured. In saying that, however, Ingram’s ability to be special should not be equated with already being special now.
Yes, there are areas where his game is already evolved. Watch him work from the triple threat, see how he uses jab steps at different angles to shift a defender’s stance, watch him attack a defender’s front foot and then counter with spins and dipped shoulders to create space. Defensively, he has already shown how to retreat when guys attack his body in order to maximize his length and challenge shots.
Watch him in tight games and he will seek out the moment to be a difference maker. He plays hard throughout the game, regardless of time and score. It is clear he loves the competition and, from what I have read and heard, he wants to put the work in to improve. Listening to him talk, he seems to have the type of chip on his shoulder which drives competitiveness. There is so much to like. There is a reason he went #2 overall.
But time is needed. Not just for him, but for all of us who want to fast-track the path back to contention. The Lakers have picked 7th, 2nd, and 2nd in the last three drafts. Their time is coming. We just should not expect for that time to be now. I understand there is always free agency, but this really is not about that.
The Lakers just picked Brandon Ingram #2 overall. His game speaks for itself, but will need to grow in order to speak as loud as it can in the jump up in class to the NBA. We would all be best served not equating excitement to expectations. The path is set, now it is time to follow it.
R says
Darius, do you envision Ingram spending time at SG?
Darius Soriano says
R, not really. I should say that in a more “positionless” world, the difference between a SG and a SF is minimal. But in terms of how Ingram defends, he’s likely to defend SF’s or even PF’s before he chases SG’s. Remember, too, that many teams are playing dual PG lineups which means he really would not be playing that position — especially defensively.
sam says
I really enjoy reading your articles and agree with most everything you write. Agree that expectations need to be held in check re Ingram next year — fans are unrealistic on what to expect from kids coming into a man’s league — same like with Russell last year who also was stuck in a system that did not play to his strengths – I am like you still high on DLO as a talent and cant wait to see him in Walton’s uptempo offense and without Kobe’s ball domination. And I think Ingram is a super super pick for the long haul. I think the piling on DLO is odd — I remain a huge fan of his talent
My vote is to hold all the young kids for a year playing with Luke and then figure out if anyone should be moved — hold on to Randle, Russell, Clarkson, Nance and AB (altho I am not sold on his ability)
On free agents I would love to get Batum as FA but probably a huge longshot to complement the young kids upfront —
At Center I guess I prefer horford as a solid veteran presence on the team and altho not a rim protector someone whose offensive game complements randle’s weaknesses – If they want to gamble on Whiteside and can pry him loose I am ok with that –tuff balance between the obvious skillset and the maturity issues coming to a team without veteran leadership. Biyombo fine with me as well
rubenowski says
Yes, time. Patience. Many of us on this forum have had it; many have not. But patience has gotten us this far. As unlucky (and wrong in some decisions) as we’ve been these last few years, we must admit that things are now going our way, at least in terms of young talent. The future looks bright and I really think this young group will be fun to watch and very dangerous down the line. We just need to be a bit more patient, and I think it’ll be a lot easier to be patient now that we have a nice young team to watch grow every night.
I believed in Russell last year (and I still do), but I believe in Ingram even more. Damn.
Anon#1 says
Darius:
Absent a significant infusion of free agent talent the Lakers, as is, are likely a 30/35 win team. That would give the team a lottery ball’s bounce chance of keeping their top three protected pick next draft.
Do you think the FO will take it slow, play the kids and give themselves an opportunity to keep the pick? I’m not saying this will be the Byron Scott years revisited — far from it. I think the team will make progress and will try to win every game. It’s just that developing young talent takes time and we are very young.
Or do you think the FO is hell bent on trying to reach .500 and will spend a large portion of their space this summer in an effort to do so.
I’m curious as to what your thoughts are.
Anonymous says
I don’t see Horford as a good fit. He’s 30 and his production is noticeably slipping (15 pts and 6 rebs this last season). He’s missed two of the last 5 seasons due to injury. Oh and he’ll want the max starting at $25 mil per season. I for one don’t want to pay a 34 year old Horford $33 mil for his last season under contract. Pass.
Shaun says
did we sign any undrafted guys to summer league yet?
Drew Gordon says
Thanks for the sober analysis, Darius. If anyone wants to read an idiot’s take on Russell, here is moron Plashke’s newest article. Clowns like this (and Wilbon) need to go the way of the dodo. Brain dead.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nba/la-sp-lakers-draft-plaschke-20160623-snap-story.html
felix says
Darius, I always enjoy your posts and wanted to compliment you particularly on this one–so well thought out, and well expressed. It’s a pleasure to have your continuing commentary on our beloved Lakers.
Anon#1 says
Does the acquisition of Ibaka move Gordon to SF and Fournier into a logjam with Hezonja at SG? In other words might the Magic be less inclined to match an aggressive offer to Fournier knowing that they own a cost controlled alternative in Hezonja?
I think Fournier makes great sense for the Lakers — he’s young, long and shoots the lights out from the three. Hmm…
basquiatball says
I like to think back to 2 years ago when the only long term piece of the teams future, Julius Randle, was out for the year (until Clarkson emerged) and there was virtually nothing to take from the awful on-court product beyond its awfulness and the good days long gone from the vets left over from playoff years. Just having something to look forward to is such a gift. It’s still easy to get caught up in the day by day disappointments, but just watching the progression Russell made from his early struggles to his February and March (April never happened) gave us something to be excited about for the first time in years. That’s all I expect of Ingram at this point. Show me signs of the process, let me believe in the possibility of better days to come. I don’t mind if he struggles some, so long as he and the others continue to work. Signs of that work will be what will make me happy.
dogtown says
Another great read Darius, mucho enjoyed, and again raising my basketball IQ one FB&G post at a time.
Also, I really liked Caleb’s “Who @ 32” series leading up to the draft; insightful stuff there as well.
Me likes the consistent on-court analysis here far more than slogging through other blogs’ armchair GM hypothesizing, fo’ sho!
So yeah, thanks again.
Clay Bertrand says
basquiatball,
I totally remember those DARK DAYS. There was literally NOTHING to hope for and nothing worthwhile to see on the court until midseason when Clarkson starting getting time that year…….It was the worst year IMO–Worse than last season. There was no purpose to anything…….
Fast forward to today and it sure feels like we have risen from those depths even if we are still drafting #2 and rebuilding. There is so much to watch grow and be hopeful about. Especially compared to two season ago!!!
Ed says
The team is a big ? right now. Until we see who comes in as FA`s and really how far the young core including Ingram are to really competing on a consistent basis every night, it`s not possible to rate their chances in the West.I`m encouraged by Ingram`s work ethic and his desire to be among the best in the League.
KevTheBold says
I’m ecstatic about this kid, and haven’t been this happy about our future in ages.
It feels really good to be a Lakers fan about now !!
Comrade says
Whiteside would be my preference just because as a long term fit he works better with the kids timeline, plus his defensive prowess he can help cover a lot of the kids mistakes on defense. Plus, I believe the front office can sell him on the Lakers and the tradition of great lakers big men. This is a guy who needs to be validated and has made multiple comments to the media about feeling unappreciated. The brass can stroke his ego and with the heat not having his bird rights and also having to deal with the Wade contract situation it could be interesting. That said if they did sign him they must must must sign some veterans who can mentor the young players, because Whiteside is anything but that.
Also, no mention of Noah? He would be a great locker room presence and won’t need touches on offense like Horford. This puts the focal point on offense on the kids, which makes Clarkson the defacto go to guy. I’ll be happy with Horford as well but hoping for Whiteside or Noah. Next years free agency will probably be more fruitful for us with a better free agent class and another year of development for the core
Dom says
I remember Kobe when he came in the league. We all hoped he would be special but i remember a lot of people screaming how in the world could you give up Vlade for a 17 year old kid. Who envisioned Steph of 7 years ago being Steph of today. Who even heard of Klay or Draymond. Boogie was an after thought even though he was a number 6 pick but would you rather have him or John Wall. These kids are kids. They are going to need time. This team is not going to win 35 games and frankly i know that Luke knows this. These kids dont know the pro game. They didnt develop under BScott who had no nurturing instincts to speak of. This is the first year of a program that will take time to institute and setting expectations that this team will more than double their win total is ridiculous. They havent even been introduced to the systems both offense and defense they will be playing. As kids they have to be taught fundamentals both offensively and defensively. Additionally they are going to need to develop both physically and mentally. This isnt going to happen the first year. They will improve incrementally but setting the expectation im reading here is setting them up for failure.
Given the fact that if they fall out of the lottery next year they lose next years pick and the first round in 2019 i cant see the FO sacrificing those assets for a 35 win record. I see the team bringing in vets with high character, great work ethic who can work with these kids positionally, much like Metta did with Randle last year. They need a veteran point guard to show DAR how to play and what to see on the court. Someone to teach BI how to maximize his skill set despite he slight frame.
20-25 wins will keep them in the top 3 i believe and that in my mind would be a successful campaign. We are in a marathon to get back to championship contention. This is the Lakers, we dont do playoffs, we do championships. Keeps next years pick. Lose 2018. 2019 becomes 2 2nd rounders instead of a 1st rounder. With the depth of next years draft and top 3 asset from that draft. By 2018 we should have assets and be ready for that quantum leap we all crave
Garadich says
Good article, I couldn’t agree more. The only thing I have a slight issue with is all of the people harping on his weight. He will put on some pounds as he matures, but between now and say 25, his strength is far more critical than his weight. KD, Reggie Miller and Tayshaun Prince have all been fine, they were all built like Ingram when they came into the league and none of them put on a lot of weight. I like Clarkson, Randle is ok, but this kid and Russell are the future of this team!
Gus says
With Summer League rapidly approaching this write up is especially important. Does this stat line look familiar? 27mins 3-8FG 1-3 3p 1-2 FT 0 Off 5 Def 5 Reb 6 Ast 3 Stls 0 Blk 5 TO 7 PFs 8 Pts. That’s D’Angelo Russell’s first summer league game. Amid all of the next few games were the increasingly louder rumblings of “Bust”, “We should’ve taken Okafor”, etc… Many realistic Lakers fans didn’t allow that to phase them but he really didn’t hit his stride until mid season.
So, it goes without staying that it is extremely likely for Brandon Ingram to suffer the same slow start. For what it’s worth, he started his season at Duke slowly. It wasn’t until his game against Indiana that he started playing like the number two pick. Don’t be discouraged Lakers fans. He will surely need time to adjust.
It is possible that he bursts on to the scene but he will have his down time eventually. He is young and he will mature, in regards to basketball, physically and mentally.
It is an exciting time everyone, go easy on the kids. Let them grow together, stay positive, and lets hope for a fun and development filled season!
Tim A says
I like the long view you’re taking here. And I’d like to suggest a build on it.
Based on the last three lotteries, I think the Lakers have assembled the second best collection of available talent. (You simply can’t make a better combination of young players than Minnesota’s KAT, Wiggins and Dunn.) Which is to say I think Mitch & company have done an excellent job of using the draft to commence the dynastic rebuild.
Thinking from an organizational perspective, I believe this should be Mitch Kupchak’s last such effort. (Or maybe penultimate.) If the Lakers will continue to be a franchise that enjoys extended title run after extended title run, the institution needs to eventually be refreshed so it can outlive those who currently people it.
To be clear, this is not a call to replace Mitch Kupchak. Rather, it’s an inquiry as to how Mitch plans to sustain the organizational success he has built upon.
It’s no secret that Jerry West trained Mitch. And that has worked out really well. Two titles. A very strong position to begin the post-Kobe era. The man has done his job as well (arguably better) than it could possibly be done. So I think we’re at a point when it is necessary to begin asking these kinds of questions:
Who is Mitch’s Mitch? And if Mitch isn’t grooming his successor(s), who might make sense as his heir(s) apparent?
LakerLarry says
Tim A- Jerry West’s son, Ryan West is currently the Director of Player Personnel for the Lakers as of fall of 2015. From what I hear, he’s possibly being groomed as a future general manager.
DeafEyeJedi says
Great read and excellent article. Agreed w @LakerLarry in regards to @Tim A’s question along with you @Darius Soriano on most if not all of your pointers. Patience is virtue. Keep them coming as we all bleed purple and gold for life!
Tim A. says
Laker Larry: Thanks for the info. Somehow I missed that development. But I see through a quick Google news search that young West is exactly the kind of heir any rational Lakers fan would hope for.