NEW ORELANS – With every clutch shot and dazzling pass D’Angelo Russell makes, the Lakers see in him a blend of skills and potential that could anchor their backcourt for years. Their vision of the future gets a bit murkier, though, as he fumbles with errant shots, poor passes and lackadaisical defense.
Brandon Ingram has spent portions of his rookie season as a ball handler, post player and wing defender, leaving the Lakers encouraged he can master a variety of responsibilities. That confidence wanes, though, when Ingram shrinks into the background with modest statistical performances, passive play and intimidation when matched against physically superior opponents.
“They’re both progressing and getting better, but the consistency isn’t there yet,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said. “That’s one of the hardest things to get in this league.”
Russell and Ingram earned invitations to the NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge as part of All-Star weekend on Friday at Smoothie King Center. Russell, 20, goes into his second appearance in the event averaging 14.2 points and 4.7 assists. Ingram, 19, leads the Lakers in minutes per game (27.7) and has assumed a starting role in the past four games out of Walton’s desire to accelerate his development.
Will either of the last two No. 2 picks in the NBA Draft ever become a perennial All-Star? The Lakers and others around the league expressed uncertainty.
Russell described his play as “average” and said he “could be better all around.”
Even though he has felt more empowered under Walton’s coaching style and system, Russell has played fewer minutes this season (26.5) than in his rookie year (28.2) under Byron Scott. Russell has sat out the entire fourth quarter of eight games, as part of Walton’s mantra to determine crunch-time minutes based off that night’s performance.
When the Lakers (19-39) resume the regular season on Feb. 24 against Oklahoma City (32-25), Russell said he will try to “keep building into every game.”
“Play on top; be one of the players that can help lead this team in the right direction,” Russell said. “We’re losing, but it’s about going in the right direction as far as (seeing) what we’re capable of (doing).”
Ingram had hoped he would be a contender for the Rookie of the Year award, but despite leading his rookie class in total minutes (1,604), he ranks seventh in scoring average (8.0) and 18th in field-goal percentage (38.6).
“I have gotten better over the few months that I’ve been here. But I don’t think I’ve exceeded the expectations I’ve had on the offensive or defensive end,” Ingram said. “It was a slow start to the season, some inefficiencies sometimes and lack of being aggressive in some games.”
Through their up-and-down moments, have Russell and Ingram at least grown at the pace Walton had expected entering the season?
“Obviously there’s games I wish they were playing better and there were games I think they’re playing great,” Walton said. “But it’s tough to go in with expectations of where you see a rookie or a second-year guy getting to by the end of that year. It takes everyone different (lengths of) time and a different amount of experience level to really figure it out.”
Russell and Ingram have ideas for how they will figure it out.
Ingram, who will be an honorary coach for the NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified game on Saturday morning, will miss the rest of All-Star weekend so he can return to Los Angeles to rest and train before practice resumes Wednesday. Russell outlined a similar itinerary.
“It’s an opportunity to gain an advantage against some of the guys taking vacations,” Russell said. “I don’t have time for vacation, going to All-Star (weekend) with two days back on the road. So I’ll be in the gym before I get to (New Orleans) and be in the gym when I’m done.”
Ingram vows he will play more aggressively instead of worrying about making mistakes. He wants to become more vocal whenever he runs the offense. He pledged not to become consumed with fulfilling his goal of winning the Rookie of the Year award.
“I’m just trying to get better each and every game,” Ingram said. “I’m just playing and not worrying about my future.”
Meanwhile, Russell will stick to a recently developed routine that has required more shooting sessions and workouts. He wants to sharpen his balance between blending his scoring and passing. After being critical of his passive leadership qualities, Russell showed some assertiveness in Wednesday’s loss in Phoenix when he offered critical feedback to Ingram and rookie center Ivica Zubac. Russell said his message was about not getting discouraged, something he’s had to learn as well.
“It’s all mental,” Russell said. “You go down and some kind of adversity sets in, you have to attack it right away with staying with your shot, staying with your routine and doing what you’re able to do and don’t fall off of it. It allows the process to be easier.”
The process has been challenging for both players, creating intrigue and uncertainty about where the two young stars’ journey will take them and the Lakers.
Contact the writer: mmedina@scng.com
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