Promising Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram has been giving it all in the gym this offseason. The No. 2 pick in the 2016 NBA draft is set to kick off his sophomore year. The 19-year-old had a rough start to his NBA journey, before finishing the season on a high note. The rising star's goal is to make his presence felt in the upcoming season.
"My day starts at the gym," Ingram said, per BiPro USA Blog. "This offseason, I’m trying to be the hardest worker on the court and really attack my weaknesses.
I have a different mentality, a different focus, coming in every single day trying to be a leader by example as well as vocally."
Ingram happy about his offseason shooting progress
6ft 9in Ingram is hoping to find his shooting range when the season kicks off. The former Duke Blue Devil's shot now looks different as he has been working on changing his shot mechanics.
Ingram averaged 9.4 points on good 40.2 field goal percentage during his rookie year. However, the forward struggled to hit three pointers, having made only 29.4 of his shots beyond the arc.
The Lakers are planning on using versatile Ingram at multiple positions on the court next season, including the point guard spot. The team will be trying to play a fast-paced run-and-gun basketball.
That system requires a lot of running and players who can stretch the floor and hit their shots.
Ingram has been compared to 6ft 9in superstar Kevin Durant due to their similar game-style. Durant's versatility and deadly shooting played a key part in Golden State Warriors' run to the title this past season.
"I've been working on my shot mechanics to get better," Ingram said.
"It feels more comfortable now. I’m more confident from the perimeter and feel ready to nail my outside shots."
Lakers' goal to make the playoffs
Lakers' high-flyer Larry Nance Jr. claims the team's goal for the next season is to make the playoffs. The Lakers were swept 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2013 Western Conference first-round since the Purple and Gold have hit a four-year drought without a postseason appearance.
The Lakers possess one of the most promising young cores in the NBA, led by back-to-back No. 2 picks Ingram and Lonzo Ball. The team also signed former All-Star center Brook Lopez and inked a deal with guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason. There has been a sense of optimism floating around the franchise as the LakeShow won the NBA Las Vegas Summer League title this past July.
"Team goals. I want to make the playoffs," Nance Jr. told Spectrum SportsNet, per Eric Avakian of Lakers Nation. "I think everybody wants to make the playoffs here, but at the same time we just really want to play the right way, share the basketball, play unselfishness."
