Los Angeles Lakers: Each young players’ most-needed improvement
By Jason Reed
![LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Head coach Luke Walton talks with Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on January 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Head coach Luke Walton talks with Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on January 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ecf12f694a820d9e57bf84bf61e72df2c9ec21f0333f4ae99400d9384c4ec711.jpg)
Brandon Ingram: Mid-range shooting
Since he was drafted with the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft Brandon Ingram has been compared to Kevin Durant.
While Ingram was not projected to be as massive of a superstar as high as Durant (which does not mean he cannot achieve that) his length and skinny frame drew comparisons to the Slim Reaper himself.
One of the best qualities of Durant is his lethality from mid-range. Durant is easily the best mid-range shooter in the NBA today and may go down as one of the best of all-time. In an era that is dominated by the three-point shot, Durant’s efficiency from mid-range is a breath of fresh air.
Ingram, however, is not as lethal from mid-range and is, in fact, not that great from 10-16 feet at all. Our FanSided sister site, Nylon Calculus, did a great piece breaking down all of Ingram’s game with his mid-range shooting being a part of the breakdown. For an in-depth read, check in out here.
For simplicity sake, we took a look at Ingram’s efficiency from 10-16 feet, where he shot just 35 percent last season.
That is not terrible but for comparison’s sake, Durant shot 49.3 percent from that same range last season.
Expecting Ingram to make half of his shots from mid-range is a bit unfair. However, with Ball and James running the offense, Ingram needs to improve his spot up shooting, which starts with his mid-range shot. If he can get that number up to 40 percent next season that will be a win for Ingram and the Lakers.