Brandon Ingram OAD

[Duke=Boom!]

Ok, first I know that there is a 85 to 90% chance that Brandon is a OAD and that is even off potential alone and even though he's not living up to expectations early, I realize that more than likely all it will take is one breakout game and the rest could be history. But with the way he has been playing lately, It leads me to ask, what if Brandon never turns the corner this year? What if he never gains the confidence needed to take his game to the next level this year? I know he could enter the draft with potential alone but he is only 190 pounds, with his height and weight I think he would need to add at least 15 to 20 more pounds for the NBA.
Also how would Duke look next year with Ingram on the roster? Would he start. How would the starting lineup look.

Again I know this is all highly unlikely and its all ("what ifs") but with the way he is playing it kind of leading me to wondering.

 

[aah555]

It's way, way too early to be asking this question. This is really only something to muse about if we're still facing the same issues in February. While BI's been arguably downright poor the past couple games, he clearly has talent and will undoubtedly be given opportunities to earn minutes. Winning the 2K classic was nice -- but we're not coming close to winning anything of substance at the end of the year if BI doesn't turn the corner. Allen is not going to score 32 points on 12 shots on a regular basis.

 

[Duke=Boom!]

It's way, way too early to be asking this question. This is really only something to muse about if we're still facing the same issues in February. While BI's been arguably downright poor the past couple games, he clearly has talent and will undoubtedly be given opportunities to earn minutes. Winning the 2K classic was nice -- but we're not coming close to winning anything of substance at the end of the year if BI doesn't turn the corner. Allen is not going to score 32 points on 12 shots on a regular basis.

I don't think that its way to early to ask the question because this maybe the only time it could be asked.( and hopefully so) . I do think its a premature assumption to actually believe that he would never turn the corner. Like I say in my post, I realize that its highly unlikely but with the way he is playing, It just makes me wonder so I thought I would ask.

 

[dukiejay]

I think the one thing we feared with Brandon, if there was one, is how does he adjust to physicality of college basketball? And honestly, I think he's been ok with the adjustment on that end. It's just that right now he's trying to find his place within the offense and to fit in. It's a learning curve.

He's going to be alright, but the rough patch right now is a little scary. Yesterday he almost seemed to be forcing just to make something happen by taking a couple of shots that weren't within the offense. He's clearly talented and doesn't look lost out there, but again it's finding his place. I'm not even close to hitting the panic button yet.

 

[aah555]

I think the one thing we feared with Brandon, if there was one, is how does he adjust to physicality of college basketball? And honestly, I think he's been ok with the adjustment on that end. It's just that right now he's trying to find his place within the offense and to fit in. It's a learning curve.

He's going to be alright, but the rough patch right now is a little scary. Yesterday he almost seemed to be forcing just to make something happen by taking a couple of shots that weren't within the offense. He's clearly talented and doesn't look lost out there, but again it's finding his place. I'm not even close to hitting the panic button yet.

While I know that K generously used the term "physicality" in the press conference, but, IMO, his issue seems to be more aggressiveness / intensity than physicality. Ingram just looks passive out there at times and doesn't seem to be playing with a high enough motor. As an example, there was one play over the weekend I distinctly remember where a rebound went straight towards him near the 3 pt. line. Rather than aggressively pursue it, he just passively waited for it -- allowing a VCU guard to just take the ball away from him. In another instance when he was playing the zone, he was in pretty good position to defend a 3 pt. shooter but simply elected not to b/c he didn't respect the guy's shot -- even though there were only a couple seconds on the shotclock and that player was going to be forced to shoot it. The end result was a 3 for G-town. I think Ingram's problem now is more intensity / motor than physicality. Okafor and Jabari both had some issues with that as well on the defensive end, but not to this extent on both ends of the court. You can't be a good player at this level (let alone the NBA level) if you're not interested / willing to mix it up.

With that said, as I mentioned before, I think this is mostly correctable.

 

[youngman42]

Georgetown is a physical team and there was quite a difference with some of those G'Town players and Ingram. Ingram doesn't have to necessarily get stronger or more physical if his game comes through (I mean, look at Kevin Durant, who was surprisingly weak going into the NBA draft).

But, I think Ingram's problem is that he's not really scoring. Scoring breeds confidence and more aggressiveness. You don't want him to try to be too aggressive and press.

You can see the talent to some degree but he hasn't found himself. He needs to find his range (I liked the shot from the FT line he made - if he can make the mid range jumper and hit some 3s he'd be dangerous). He's going to have to develop a consistent shot to be a truly great player, imo. He could also become a stout defender if he learns that part of the game - he's flashed some of that already.

I think Ingram and Kennard both "look good" on the floor, but they just haven't found their game. Kennard hit 49% from the same 3 point range in hs and can't buy a 3 point shot in a game. The transition from one level to the next is toughest on the mental side (or, psychological side) and both Ingram and Kennard still need some confidence.

Will be interesting to see how they develop

 

[Crank_it_loud]

Brandon has a ton of talent, and a lot to figure out, but he's gone after this year barring a season-ending injury IMO.....

 

[AlanInNJ]

I work with boys a lot in an environment different than basketball. Most are 11-17 years old, so yes I know Ingram is a bit older, but not much. Yes my role is different, but it's similar in some ways. I cannot imagine the pressure these top recruits face. They go from being the best players on their high school or AAU team to being a starter on the biggest college BB stage in country whether it be at Duke or any other major program. Maybe he doesn't show it with his demeanor which seems laid back and passive, but I believe he is just trying to figure things out right now. Imagine how hard that must be. We take it for granted because I think so many of these young men amazingly manage to figure it out pretty quickly. The NBA is there for him whenever that time comes, and with that step will come new adjustments. For now I suggest we give Ingram some time to find his game, find his role on this team and settle into that role.

Alan

 

[jibip]

Despite his early struggles, I still expect him to leave after this year, b/c the potential will still be there. That said, he defense is pretty poor right now and he's searching for his shot. So like a previous poster mentioned the "aggressiveness" isn't there now. He's got a good month ahead of him to continue to work on that til the ACC season starts. I am hopeful that by then he'll have found some rhythm.

 

[barkingpumpkin]

Georgetown is a physical team and there was quite a difference with some of those G'Town players and Ingram. Ingram doesn't have to necessarily get stronger or more physical if his game comes through (I mean, look at Kevin Durant, who was surprisingly weak going into the NBA draft).

But, I think Ingram's problem is that he's not really scoring. Scoring breeds confidence and more aggressiveness. You don't want him to try to be too aggressive and press.

You can see the talent to some degree but he hasn't found himself. He needs to find his range (I liked the shot from the FT line he made - if he can make the mid range jumper and hit some 3s he'd be dangerous). He's going to have to develop a consistent shot to be a truly great player, imo. He could also become a stout defender if he learns that part of the game - he's flashed some of that already.

I think Ingram and Kennard both "look good" on the floor, but they just haven't found their game. Kennard hit 49% from the same 3 point range in hs and can't buy a 3 point shot in a game. The transition from one level to the next is toughest on the mental side (or, psychological side) and both Ingram and Kennard still need some confidence.

Will be interesting to see how they develop

I think you're right. Ingram was diving on the floor during the Bryant game, so I don't think he's always a passive guy.

He'll be fine. We should just be thankful that we have other guys who have stepped up their scoring in the meantime.

 

[Laettner]

Even Justise had a rough stretch last year(late Dec-Jan). Let the season play out.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

Even Justise had a rough stretch last year(late Dec-Jan). Let the season play out.

Yep. There is still plenty of time.

OFC

 

[youngman42]

No doubt. Lots of time to develop. Just have to keep confident.

 

[duhondukie]

I agree that Justice went thru a rough patch last year but you never saw Justice not play hard. I think you see that with Brandon all the time which is the most frustrating part.

 

[stanleyduke]

I think we had a couple early cupcakes and then Kentucky, VCU and Georgetown was college basketball providing a slap in the face to Ingram. The December cupcake schedule will be good for him to get a little bit of confidence back but he now knows what its going to take to be ready for ACC play. Im hopeful for a much improved version come conference play.