Brandon Ingram on Kobe, KD Comparisons, and His Love for Skillful Scorers

Ingram was quick to label himself a “basketball junkie,” indicating a deep love for the game and its history. He explained that growing up on the East Coast meant staying up late to catch the action, particularly from one West Coast icon.

“I grew up of course watching Kobe,” Ingram said. “Because I was on the East Coast and I would stay up and watch the games; my mom and dad would let me stay up and watch those games.”

For Ingram, it wasn’t just the wins that stood out, but the specific aura surrounding the late Lakers legend. “It was just something different about him, you know? At the end of the game you always expected him to do something crazy. He went on a 20-year run and he just had a different mentality.”

Beyond Kobe, Ingram is a fan of skill and efficiency, listing several offensive dynamos who he studies closely. “I’ve looked at a lot — and I’m a big Tracy McGrady fan and Kevin Durant. I’m a fan of guys that have skill; I’m a big Kyrie Irving fan, guys that have skill in this league and I just watch all of those guys all the time.”

Embracing the Kevin Durant Comparison

Due to his lanky frame, positional versatility, and smooth scoring ability, Ingram has often been compared to Kevin Durant. He fully embraces the compliment.

“I think anybody would like the KD comparisons [laughs],” Ingram admitted. He then broke down exactly what makes Durant’s game the gold standard. “A guy that can shoot the basketball from the three, midrange and get all the way to the basket and he’s a really, really good defender.”

While he holds Durant in the highest regard, Ingram did offer one humble suggestion of where his own game might differ slightly. “I think one thing that I got over him is passing; a little bit [smiles].”

Ultimately, Ingram concluded that being put in the same conversation as one of the game’s all-time great scorers is an honor he will always appreciate. “But he’s really, really an efficient scorer and NOBODY in this league can stop him, so I definitely love the comparison!”