Promising Los Angeles Lakers player Brandon Ingram has confirmed once again that he will be hitting the floor this summer with former five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant. The second overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft has been given a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best players ever to play the game. Bryant was the leader of the Lakers for more than a decade, and some believe that Ingram could become that type of player in Los Angeles one day.
Ingram said in a phone interview that training with Bryant is ''going to happen eventually this summer.'' ''I’ll pick his brain on whatever,'' he added, as revealed by Mark Medina of the Orange County Register.
Ingram eager to improve, leave his mark
Brandon Ingram was advised by Kobe Bryant to set up a five-year plan regarding his career in the world's best basketball league. Bryant noted it last month during his interview with Southern California News Group. A plan like that would give Ingram a chance to have a clean look at what his goals are in his first couple of years in the NBA.
''In five years, you can say you want to be a superstar in this league and want to win such and such amount of championships,'' Ingram said. ''But I also want to continue to get better and better each and every year. Of course, you want to win more games every year.''
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a drought of four years in a row without a playoff appearance.
The 16-time NBA champions are hoping to get back to their winning ways. Having Ingram committed is certainly more than welcome by the team.
Ingram's shooting
Brandon Ingram has specifically been working on his shooting lately, according to Mike Trudell of the Spectrum SportsNet. Ingram ended his first year in the NBA with an average of 9.4 points on 40.2 percent shooting -- which wasn't bad for a rookie.
Ingram, who is listed at 6-foot-9, is one the most gifted players because of his ability to play various positions.
Brandon Ingram’s been spending a lot of time working on/fine-tuning his shot w/LAL’s staff. Focus on the release, really breaking it down.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) May 22, 2017
Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton used Ingram at the point guard spot at times during this past season.
He moves and runs the floor well, which is not a common occurrence for someone of his height.
Should Ingram develop into a great shooter, he could very well become a nightmare for defenders. Before he entered the league, he was compared to Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors superstar. Durant's height advantage and his shooting skills are two of the reasons why he is one of the best basketball players in the world.