Brandon Ingram at LA Lakers Media Day at their El Segundo training facility. Photos by Brad Graverson/SCNG/The Daily Breeze/09-26-16
SANTA BARBARA – The injury sent a painful jolt to Philadelphia rookie forward Ben Simmons as he nursed a broken right foot. The Sixers also absorbed a psychological blow as they lost their No. 1 pick for an indefinite amount of time.
As much as Lakers rookie forward and No. 2 draft pick Brandon Ingram expressed condolences and support, the incident also partly explained why he and the Lakers have ensured he gains weight gradually. With Simmons reportedly adding 33 pounds since leaving LSU, personal trainer Tim Grover explained why such abrupt increases contributed to Simmons injury. As Grover tweeted, “Athletes can’t add that much weight that quickly w/out impacting movement.”
“I know it’s going to be a process,” Ingram said. “I’m not trying to add weight too fast. I know it’s going to come over the years as my body matures.”
Lakers coach Luke Walton has also minimized wait times between drills “so the bodies don’t cool off.” And the Lakers’ training staff has emphasized proper stretching and recovery. Nonetheless, Walton admitted, “injuries are a part of sports; they’re going to happen.”
Yet, how Ingram handles his weight gain could make a difference.
Ingram, who is listed at 6-foot-9 and 190 pounds, reported he actually weighs between 195-200 pounds after adding that weight in muscle following Summer League. He has stopped consuming a high amount of calories just for the sake of adding weight. Instead, Ingram said he will enter the 2016-17 season determined to maintain the current weight he has.
The Lakers are openly concerned how much Ingram can successfully navigate the NBA’s 82-game schedule. That mostly explains why Walton plans to bring Ingram off the bench. Yet, the Lakers became impressed with how Ingram matched up with bruising power forward Julius Randle in practice on Friday and Saturday. On one play in Friday’s practice, Ingram absorbed Randle’s brute strength from his listed 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame before scoring on him. As Ingram said afterwards, “he has about 60 pounds over me, but I think I’ve held my own.”
Despite eventually winning the matchup, Randle admitted that Ingram “competes.”
“He was holding his own out there,” Walton said of Ingram. “I’m not nearly as concerned about his weight. I’m more focused on how he’s developing and how he’s growing into the NBA game. He’s a lot stronger than he appears.”
The Lakers also have become impressed with Ingram’s defensive versatility, consistent outside shot and positive attitude.
“With the way I’m playing, you wouldn’t worry how strong I am. I’m playing lower and playing stronger. I’m trying to use my body a lot more,” Ingram said. “I’ve grown up playing against bigger guys all my lifestyle. So it’s nothing different. Seeing bigger guys doesn’t scare me at all. It just makes me want to battle.”
Ingram wanted to express his support from one top draft prospect to another.
“I hate it for him. That’s an injury you never want to have, a foot injury,” Ingram said of Simmons. “I just send prayers out to him. He’s a great guy and great basketball player. I hope he has a speedy recovery.”
RELATED:
Marcelo Huertas impressing Lakers with steady presence
Lakers see D’Angelo Russell emerging as a leader
Lakers’ Jordan Clarkson embraces Luke Walton’s challenge to become a good defender
Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook.
E-mail him at mmedina@scng.com