Ingram shines as LeBron takes a back seat
Brandon Ingram scored 31 points, made the game-clinching steal and could be the difference between the LA Lakers making the play-offs or missing out. But that doesn’t mean much when his locker is next to that of LeBron James.
As he made his way from the showers back to his luxury changing stall following the Lakers 128-123 pre-season win over the Sacramento Kings at Staples Centre on Friday AEST, Ingram must have wondered what else he had to do to earn some space.
In his way was a throng of 30 or more media and like a dust cloud they spread from James' stall across a vacant one and over the front of Ingram’s space, including this visiting Australian journalist.
He was polite but direct in asking those in the his place to move, words to the effect of “we got to change this” may have been muttered – all the while James spoke on and the throng listened, the majority of the questions were on his young teammate.
Ingram had also moved from his usual forward role to fill in at point guard with Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball both out with minor injuries.
“This is the year for him. I believe in him and I know what his abilities are,” James told broadcasters post-game.
Back in the locker room James was still high on his young star.
“I thought he was great,” he said while wearing a Colin Kaepernick T-shirt in support of the exiled NFL quarterback (both athletes are sponsored by Nike and James has long been a vocal supporter).
“His pace, his ability to play the point, he is a very special talent and we are lucky to have him on our side.”
Ingram gave another sellout crowd of 18,997 fans plenty to cheer about in the second half after James had them screaming with 18 points in 15 minutes during the first half before retiring to the bench.
Ingram’s signature moment was when he guarded a Kings inbound play with less than a minute to go, his long wingspan repeatedly deflected attempted passes and on the fourth time he knocked the ball to ground and gathered it before being fouled.
“I think I was helped out by the bench with Lonzo and Rondo talking to him from out of bounds,” Ingram said.
“I was just trying to use my length to my advantage and shadow the basketball, I got some deflections and the last one a steal.”
James has been pushing Ingram as he identifies his teammate's unique mix of length, athleticism and skill.
“More and more every day, I know what I see in him and he’s looking for his opportunity to make his next game in his behaviour – there is a lot of upside,” Ingram said.
The quietly spoken Ingram was barely audible after the game. Lakers coach Luke Walton said the former No. 2 draft pick, taken after Ben Simmons in 2016, was starting to come into his own.
Just as his game is only starting to rise, his voice should come with it.
The Kings showed some promise despite the loss as high draft pick Marvin Bagley III came off the bench and had 19 points and 10 rebounds while point guard D’Aaron Fox was on fire in the first term with 15 of his 18 points before sitting for the second half.
Power forward Harry Giles III showed glimpses of his talent in the second half as well, scoring 14 points before fouling out.
While having James as a locker room neighbour is a challenge, having him as a mentor can change the course of one’s career.
Before exiting the players' space James had a hug and a quiet word for his young teammate.
The Lakers have a few light days coming up but James and others will be training hard. The season is a little under two weeks away.
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