Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram survived the opening night jitters after a 120-114 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
The No. 2 overall selection played 24 minutes off the bench, making an efficient 4-of-6 from the floor, including a three-pointer and three rebounds.
“I felt like the (jitters) went away when I got to the point guard position a little bit,” Ingram told Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News.
“Knowing I can playmake for myself and playmake for other guys. When I got to the point guard position, it got a lot easier for me. I was making plays for my other teammates and making plays for myself.”
Despite not registering any assists during his debut, head coach Luke Walton plans to give his rookie asset more point guard duties from now on.
“It helps engage him in the game. He’s a great basketball player and has a great feel for the game,” Walton said. “When you’re handling the ball, even when you’re not shooting, just making passes. It’s a great way to force you into the game.”
“You have to be able to direct people on what the game plan is. He doesn’t have that yet at this level. But when he’s running the point for us, he’s a much better player on both ends of the court.”
While he doesn't have the college or professional experience at the position, he can flourish at the position just by having more of the ball-handling duties instead for waiting for the ball to come to the high block or spotting up for corner threes.
“Being aggressive is him doing what he’s doing,” Walton said. “That’s shooting when you’re open and getting in the lane and playmaking and not turning down shots defensively and taking the challenge of guarding the other teams best player. That’s being aggressive. I don’t think he needs to be jacking up shots. The more opportunities he gets like that, the quicker he’ll adapt to this level.”
Ingram seemed accepting of his new role and embraced it with open arms.
“It’s a new process. You can’t be mad about it,” Ingram said. “I’m coming in as a new player and part of the team. It’s something you have to work for. I don’t want anything given. What I show to the coach that I can handle those situations, I’ll be out there a lot more.”
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