Lakers’ Brandon Ingram throws down dunk over Raptors’ Jonas Valanciunas

The job usually requires the basketball player to possess lots of power as he bullies his way toward the rim. But as Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram proved in Sunday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center, Ingram has shown off his strengths even if he lacks strength.

Ingram performed a pretty good imitation of reserve forward Larry Nance Jr. by driving to the basket and throwing down a one-handed dunk over Toronto forward Jonas Valanciunas.

“I’m just trying to be aggressive to the rim,” Ingram said. “I saw an opening so I just took it.”

Sounds simple enough. But Ingram managed to do that because of his vast wing span. It also illustrated his willingness to absorb physical contact even if he does not necessarily have the muscle in his 6-foot-9, 190-pound frame to bully defenders.

“Of course, you have to find a different way to get your shot off,” Ingram said. “It’s about getting to the rim and trying to get easy points and easy baskets. Laying the ball up was good for me.”


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