NBA Draft: Lakers fans react to Brandon Ingram pick (Video)
The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Duke’s Brandon Ingram with the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
The 2016 NBA Draft is sure to be full of surprises, but the first two picks went the way of chalk.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected LSU’s Ben Simmons with the first overall pick, while the Los Angeles Lakers took Duke’s Brandon Ingram with the second overall pick.
The Lakers were expected to take Ingram, but that doesn’t mean fans were going to be shy about showing their excitement.
Lakers fans are happy with the selection of Brandon Ingram.https://t.co/E8YZA7lQD6 pic.twitter.com/5x381mdqxN
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 23, 2016
The Lakers are in a unique period in team history. For the first time since the 1996-97 NBA season, the Lakers will be without team and NBA legend, Kobe Bryant. This new era of Laker basketball will be dominated by younger players, and perhaps any veteran free agents the front office can bring to town this offseason.
Ingram will join past first-round picks D’Angelo Russell (given he doesn’t get traded) and Julius Randle as a potential new “Big Three” in Los Angeles. There is still a lot of time to go before that could become a reality, but the potential is there for the Lakers.
Ingram will begin his career under head coach Luke Walton, who may be the most qualified head coaching hire in recent history. He can work with Ingram and the rest of the roster to reach the heights of the Kobe-led Lakers from a decade ago.
The franchise is looking for a new star, and based on Russell’s troubles and lack of being trustworthy, Ingram will likely be that marketable star.
Los Angeles is not an easy fan base to impress, but Ingram’s time at Duke should serve well to prepare him for filling the shoes of the great Kobe Bryant.
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