The last couple of weeks have seen Los Angeles Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram really turn a corner. While his defense and playmaking have continued to be big parts of his game, Ingram’s offense is finally starting to work.
Friday night’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers may have been Ingram’s best performance yet. Ingram totaled 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals while spending the majority of the night matched up against perennial All-Star Paul George.
After the game head coach Luke Walton was very proud of his rookie, even going so far as to say that there were times that he felt Ingram was the best player on the court for either team (via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters):
Big B.I. praise – Luke Walton said there were times tonight where he thought Brandon Ingram was the best player on the floor on either team
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 21, 2017
Walton also added that he believes Ingram is progressing faster than he expected (via Winters):
Luke also said Ingram is "advancing much faster" than he'd expect out of a 19 yr old rook, just a little more than 1/2 way thru season
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 21, 2017
The potential of Ingram is on full display right now and everyone has to be excited about what they’re seeing from the rookie. In his last 10 games Ingram is averaging 12 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.
There is still plenty of room for Ingram to grow but the type of player he can become is starting to become a little clearer. He has the ability to truly become an all-around player with All-Star potential and is showing more flashes of this sooner than anyone expected.
If Ingram continues to progress at this rate, the Lakers may have their next star on their hands.