National Basketball Association

Luke Walton explains why No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram won't start for the Lakers

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:05 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

The 2016-17 NBA season is right around the corner, and while most people will be focused on whether Kevin Durant's arrival in Golden State means another title for the Warriors, Lakers fans will be facing the first year of the post-Kobe Bryant era.

Of course, Kobe's departure isn't the only significant change in Los Angeles. Gone is coach Byron Scott, replaced by former Lakers forward Luke Walton. And on top of a coaching change, Los Angeles added the second overall pick to its roster for the second consecutive year -- this time, in the form of forward Brandon Ingram.

Last year, Scott drew quite a bit of ire for his refusal to start No. 2 pick DeAngelo Russell. And to the potential consternation of some, Walton is apparently following in Scott's footsteps with Ingram. The rookie head coach told reporters earlier this week that Ingram will come off the bench (via the Los Angeles Daily News):

Before you draw solid connections between Walton and Scott, however, it helps to hear the rest of Walton's thinking -- which he revealed in a followup interview with Mark Medina:

Indeed, many rookies hit the infamous "rookie wall" during their first season. By about the All-Star break, if not sooner, first-year players often run out of energy and see a significant decline in their production. Walton and the Lakers seem to be trying to get ahead of that, preventing Ingram from tailing off as the season progresses.

For his part, Ingram is rolling with the news. He told Colin Cowherd this week that he sees Walton's plan as motivation.

The rookie wall might be of particular concern for Ingram, despite what Walton might have said on the record. His lack of strength was the one thing that stood out as the Lakers took part in the Las Vegas Summer League in July, even against other rookies and a scattering of fringe NBA players. The 19-year-old will need time to add the strength (if not bulk; like Kevin Durant, he'll probably always be on the skinny side) necessary to make it through an 82-game grind.

As for those KD comparisons and how they relate to Ingram's time with the Lakers, it's important to remember that Walton had a different Warrior in mind when he talked about Ingram earlier this offseason.

Brandon Ingram on Luke Walton saying he probably won’t start him right away: “Hearing that gives me motivation to work hard.”
(on @TheHerd)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) September 19, 2016