Ex-Coach Luke Walton Discussion

Someone just hit the "fast forward" button?

 

Another thing that should be mentioned....

Who would have predicted running Ingram as the PG for the 2nd unit? Just a brilliant way to get a young player that isn't super aggressive, involved in the game, and a better feel for the rhythm of NBA ball. Just a brilliant move.

 

Walton sees the talent and puts the player where they could be successful. Other coaches would stick to the norm and never think outside the box.

 

Here's a good article about it:

"Lakers' Luke Walton plans to give Brandon Ingram more point guard duties

LOS ANGELES – The nerves struck Brandon Ingram as he sat by his locker and processed the reality he was about to play his first NBA regular-season game.

The excitement built when he stepped to the scorer’s table to check in midway through the first quarter.

Ingram fed off the energy when the crowd buzzed and cheered as he spent his first defensive possession guarding Rockets guard James Harden successfully by forcing a contested 3-pointer.

But once the Lakers finished with a 120-114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at Staples Center, Ingram reflected on it all and pinpointed a more significant moment that helped his anxieties disappear.

“I felt like they went away when I got to the point guard position a little bit,” Ingram said.

“Knowing I can play-make for myself and play-make 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.”

Granted, Ingram’s rookie debut centered more on other things. He remained efficient offensively with nine points on 4-for-6 shooting in 24 minutes off the bench. He showed defensive promise despite the thankless task of trying to minimize the damage Harden was doing – 34 points and a career-high 17 assists while going 9 for 19 from the field and 15 for 16 from the free-throw line.

A few external circumstances increased Ingram’s role. Backup point guard Jose Calderon has been sidelined the past week with a strained left calf. Nick Young’s unexpected emergence during training camp prompted Lakers coach Luke Walton to start him. Despite logging zero assists, Ingram showed promise bringing the ball up the court to initiate the offense.

“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.”

Walton should know. He became a key reserve with the Lakers (2004-12) for most of his 10-year NBA career partly because of his superior passing. Playing in a triangle offense that preached making proper reads, Walton often ensured that engine ran without any disruption – and helped the team win two NBA titles.

Assigning this task to Ingram originated in Summer League play and continued when he spent part of the Lakers’ preseason finale running the point guard spot while starter D’Angelo Russell rested. Those duties continued in training camp once Calderon suffered an injury.

“I feel very comfortable bringing the ball up the floor,” Ingram said. “It helps me get along with the game and helps me be more aggressive.”

Walton has projected the 6-foot-9, 195-pound Ingram can eventually play all four guard and forward positions. Ingram needs to bulk up gradually before Walton considers featuring him more at the power forward spot, and Walton said Ingram will have to “know the offense inside and out” before inheriting more point-guard duties. Walton likens the responsibility to that of an NFL quarterback.

“You have to be able to direct people on what the game plan is,” Walton said. “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.”

Ingram already showed signs of progression in other ways.

Though he nursed typical rookie anxieties before tip-off, Ingram consulted with various mentors for feedback. His father, Donald, and former NBA star and hometown mentor Jerry Stackhouse offered familiar messages they preached when he grew up in Kinston, N.C., about staying himself. Ingram’s teammates offered similar advice.

After Ingram entered the game with 6:15 left in the first quarter, he rattled off a few moments. He sank a 23-foot 3-pointer for his first points and threw down an alley-oop off a lob from Lou Williams. Ingram also showed restraint by not taking contested shots.

“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 team’s best player. That’s being aggressive. I don’t think he needs to be jacking up shots.”

Most importantly, Ingram validated his pregame vow that starting “doesn’t matter.” Though he sat out during the final 4:47 so Russell could run the offense, Ingram viewed his role as motivation to develop faster instead of a reason to feel frustrated.

“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.”

And it sounds like Ingram will be out there a lot more with the ball in his hands.

“The more opportunities he gets like that,” Walton said, “the quicker he’ll adapt to this level.”

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ingram-733509-walton-guard.html

 

Ingram could be the next Grant Hill type of player... Not saying he will be one but he could play a similar game.

 

So instead of a "poor man's" Grant Hill...it's a bankrupt one? Good one. Ingram does have a fluid floor game and probably won't be prone to bonehead decisions. Hill though played four seasons at Duke I believe so he was more than NBA ready.