While unheralded rookie Kyle Kuzma continues to shine in the preseason for the Los Angeles Lakers, the highly-touted Brandon Ingram has been quite the opposite.
The second-year forward has had a rough go of things, averaging just eight points on only 27 percent shooting in 24 minutes per game through three preseason contests.
Lakers reporter Mike Trudell notes that when head coach Luke Walton was asked what his thoughts were on his struggling young forward, he believes Ingram might be trying a bit too hard and that he just needs to let the game come to him.
Walton on Ingram (1 of 2): “He wants to be great so bad and he’s worked so hard he wants to show everyone. Our message is…
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 9, 2017
2 of 2: “We’re going to be together for a lot of years and you’re going to be great … let the game come to you.” Needs to find his rhythm.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 9, 2017
Ingram, who was picked No. 2 overall in last year’s draft behind Ben Simmons, also had a less than impressive rookie season. He averaged 9.4 points, but shot just 40 percent from the field and 29 percent from beyond the arc despite being projected as a capable shooter coming out of college.
But based on Walton’s comments, the organization still believes in Ingram to do great things in the long term. Despite his early struggles, the 20-year-old still has a lot of room to grow into the star the Lakers think he can be once he gains more experience and learns how to settle down on the court.