Lakers News: Latest on Brandon Ingram Injury, Julius Randle's Role and More

The new era for the Los Angeles Lakers is off to a 1-2 start, but it remains the most positive beginning for the organization in years.

A young-old mix has the Lakers seemingly on a fast track to pass last year's win total, and the players aren't shy about beating their chests over how improved the new era seems coming out of the gate.

With D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle leading the way, the Lakers took down James Harden's Houston Rockets to start the season before dropping games to the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder. The latter, at least, wasn't much of a shock, given the current play of one Russell Westbrook. 

Few expect playoffs this season, so the worst news capable of emerging is injury issues to one of the team's developing stars. 

It just so happens Brandon Ingram, this year's No. 2 overall pick, continues to battle a knee issue, as ESPN's Baxter Holmes pointed out:

The tweet came during the Lakers' Friday loss to the Jazz, but it wasn't as bad as it might have been. Ingram had an MRI come back clean after a slight scare. He wound up playing 21 minutes Sunday night against the Thunder, second most of any Laker off the bench.

Ingram put up nine points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in do-it-all fashion during his allotted time Sunday. His sitting the second half Friday night seems more a precaution, as the team wouldn't risk one of its most valuable players this early in the season.

And why risk it, especially when others have stepped up in such a big way?

Russell has looked good with averages of 16.3 points, 4.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game so far. But the bigger story is Randle.

After missing just about his entire rookie season with an injury, Randle hit the court last year and looked like a guy who would be a role player at best. He averaged 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game.

While the 2016-17 sample size is small, it appears this has changed in a big way. Through the three games, the Kentucky product boasts averages of 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. The points and blocks are up significantly while the rebounds are down. That's what happens when the Lakers have Timofey Mozgov on the roster and let Randle play to his strengths.

It also happens progressively as Randle continues to gain confidence with the serious injury in his past.

"There's more confidence, and it just comes with playing, getting back used to your body," Randle said, according to Holmes. 

Sam Vecenie of Sporting News also praised Randle for a rapid improvement on both ends of the court:

Randle got lost in the hype of Kobe Bryant's retirement tour last year, and it masked some of the small issues he had while working his way back from an injury.

In a way, the wealth of positives surrounding the Lakers this year threatens to overshadow his vast improvement. Fans and analysts shouldn't let that happen.

While on the topic of Bryant, much as some might not want to hear it, the Lakers are better with his tour concluded and the sneakers hung up for good.

The theme in the wake of Bryant's departure and early this season has been blatant, blasted for all to hear: unity.

"We're all about playing together now," Jordan Clarkson said, according to ESPN.com's Sam Alipour. "It's not about one guy anymore. It's about sacrificing for the team."

Russell added his own thoughts to the theme:

"

Kobe deserved every bit of attention he got in his last year, but there's freedom in Kobe not being around.

When we traveled to San Antonio last season, I noticed that it's about everybody-they had all those household names, but the 15th guy got the same amount of attention as Tim Duncan, who's a legend. I feel like we're all buying into that concept. We're a team now. And that's exciting.

"

It was right to criticize the Lakers at times last year for giving too much attention to veterans and not enough to letting the young players make mistakes and learn during a lost season. 

While last season might seem like a waste, it's clear through three games new head coach Luke Walton will let this youth movement unfurl, for better or worse. Russell and Randle lead the team in minutes per game so far and have established themselves before veterans such as Luol Deng and Nick Young enter the games.

These Lakers as constructed won't win a ton of games this season, but an improvement on last year seems likely. More importantly, a young core modeling itself after selfless dynasties is what fans of the team should want, with the roster now lacking a flat-out superstar.

Health, confidence and mindset—three categories any team needs aligned to compete. The Lakers have all three right now and at the least will be fun to watch all season.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Follow Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) on Twitter.