Nylon Calculus: Where are we with Brandon Ingram?
After having improved by nine wins each of the last two years, the youthful Lakers are poised to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013 and are showing interest in a number of high profile free agents. One of the many reasons for optimism for Los Angeles is the play of 20-year-old Brandon Ingram, who averaged 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists the past season.
An imposing 6-foot-9 but a slender 195 pounds coming into the draft, Ingram drew a lot of obvious comparisons to the similarly built Kevin Durant. While Ingram has proven to be a more than capable shooter, comparisons to Durant’s otherworldly shot making ability are probably a stretch. Ingram’s free throw shooting also leaves a bit to be desired.
Nevertheless, Ingram has proven to be a force on the offensive end, both as a distributor and shooter.
In the first chart, Ingram’s ability to knock down the 3, particularly from the left side, and finish at the rim are very apparent. While not a liability from the mid-range, it is here that the comparisons to Durant are lessened, as Ingram does not display the same lethality.
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The second chart shows Ingram’s capability as a distributor, bested on the team by only the ball dominant Lonzo Ball. Ingram demonstrates, in particular, an ability to get the ball to his big men, Lopez and Kuzma, who are the benefactors of over a third of his assists and are his two leading recipients.
Offense by Playtype
This tendency to get the ball inside, along with well respected dribbling chops, suggest that Ingram is capable of running a pick-and-roll. A look into his offensive usage by play type concurs, as it is Ingram’s go-to option.
Ingram’s shot types actually closely resemble another lanky forward who was considered in need of some strength coming into the draft: Paul George.
Much like Ingram, George’s go-to move is running the pick-and-roll, similarly averaging over 5.0 possessions per game on it. Furthermore, each player averages over 2.0 possessions per game on all of spotting up, iso and transition.
George vs. Ingram
A heavy reliance on the pick-and-roll is not the only similarity between the two. Both are extremely tall small forwards capable of stretching the floor and have the handles to facilitate some. However, the two are not identical. While Ingram is certainly reasonably athletic, he is not the otherworldly athlete that George is and will probably never be the on-ball defender George is. Additionally, while George was in need of some weight coming into the draft, his listed 215 pounds still dwarfs Ingram’s string bean 195 pounds measurement.
Nonetheless, Lakers fans have every right to be incredibly excited about what the future holds for Ingram, especially if his career progress like that of George. The following are each players’ Player Efficiency Rating by age.
As you can see, Ingram did manage to best George’s age 20 mark, though that was Ingram’s second season compared to George’s first.
With an exciting offensive game and enough lankiness and athleticism to be a positive defensively, it is an exciting time to see what the future holds for Brandon Ingram.