Despite missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, the Los Angeles Lakers had several bright spots on the team that has drawn much optimism for the future of the franchise.
One of the key pieces to the puzzle is forward Brandon Ingram, who picked up his play significantly in the second half of the season following the All-Star break, averaging 13.2 points on 47.5 percent shooting from the field.
This was especially the case in the month of March, when Ingram averaged 13.5 points on 51.7 percent shooting with 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.0 steals in 11 games played. Prior to that, he tallied just 8.2 points on 37.1 percent shooting with 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 61 games played.
In light of that, Ingram recently told Robby Kalland of Uproxx that he credits some of that lift in production to Magic Johnson‘s advice after he joined the Lakers' front office in mid-February.
“As soon as he came on board I feel like he helped me out a lot. I think it was maybe a game up in Detroit, no it was the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he came to practice and gave me some pointers on how to finish above the rim and different pointers and from that game on, I think I just was finishing well around the rim. And he showed me different things, like how to come off pick-and-rolls and being effective around the rim.”
The fact that Johnson helped make a big impact on Ingram's play bodes well for the 19-year-old's future in the league. He showed several flashes of promises throughout the year that showed more often down the stretch of the season. His rise in production along with efficiency shooting the ball demonstrate his progression as a scorer.
Although the numbers don't necessarily pop off the paper, Ingram displayed more comfort within himself on both ends of the floor as the season wore on. With Johnson in his corner for any advice or help it could be huge to helping him become the star player that the Lakers' president believes that the team can build around.
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