As the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the pressure to be great will be on Brandon Ingram from day one. Being taken by the Los Angeles Lakers, the most prestigious franchise in the NBA only heightens that pressure.
Many people believe it will take a little time before Ingram will be able to truly make an impact and fulfill his potential, but most think he will ultimately get there. One believer in Ingram is Lakers legend, Shaquille O’Neal.
Shaq is a part of the 2016 NBA Hall of Fame induction class but took some time to speak about his former team. Shaq told Bill Oram of the OC Register that he likes Brandon Ingram, and that he thinks new Lakers coach Luke Walton will be a big help while he develops:
“I like Ingram,” O’Neal said. “I think he needs to get a little bit stronger, but I think Luke is going to come to some type of system where’s he’s going to be out on the perimeter and doesn’t need to post up that much.”
As many have pointed out before, Ingram obviously needs to add some strength as he is likely to be pushed around by the more physical players in the NBA. Ingram is a tough player, though, and won’t back down from anyone.
What’s interesting is Shaq’s suggestion that Walton will figure out a system keep Ingram out on the perimeter. Walton will certainly put Ingram in the best situation to be productive, but Ingram showed off the makings of a decent post game in Summer League and once he adds a little strength that could be one of his best areas to operate.
Ingram has a ton of potential, especially on the offensive end and the Lakers obviously are hoping he can fulfill that sooner rather than later. Shaq is a believer in Ingram as well, and while he has a lot of pressure on him to produce, he has the work ethic to make it happen.