Brandon Ingram has surprising answer on Raptors expectations

Toronto is third in the Eastern Conference standings as the calendar closes in on Christmas.

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram drives to the basket against Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram has been the most pleasant surprise of the team so far this season.

Ingram's acquisition at the February trade deadline last season has paid off big time for the Raptors. While he was unhealthy last season, he's made up for it this year as the Raptors are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings. Ingram has been able to will the Raptors to that point by not looking too far into the future.

"I actually didn’t have any expectations. Of course, every year the goal is to get a championship, but I just wanted to take it game by game and get better. It was all new faces for me. I just wanted to see what the fit was and then continue to go game by game. We all know it is going to be a process of how we run our offense and defense," Ingram said via HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto.

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram dribbles the basketball against the Miami Heat. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Ingram leading Raptors to success

Ingram has formed a dynamic duo with Scottie Barnes, who is also playing some of the best basketball of his career. Ingram praised Barnes for his play so far this season and explained how he bounces off of him.

"It’s been good. He’s a pass-first guy. He knows when to be aggressive. He has a feel for the game. He has a high IQ. He makes the game a lot easier for me, roaming around and trying to find openings. He’s a leader for our group. He’s talking daily," Ingram said of Barnes.

The Raptors are building a blueprint that they hope can take them very far in the standings. Ingram and Barnes as a pair are unproven in the grand scheme of the Eastern Conference, but the early part of the regular season has shown that there is potential.

With the right players around them, the Raptors may have a chance to truly make some noise in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Ingram believes the nature of the East at the moment opens the door for teams like the Raptors.

"It’s definitely wide open," Ingram said of the East via Scotto. "I think the only team that’s still the same is the New York Knicks. They still have all their players and haven’t acquired anybody other than Jordan Clarkson. Miles McBride is playing a lot better. Detroit is playing a lot better, but I think there’s an opportunity for all the teams to play better and see where we end up in April."

The Raptors need to continue leveling up, but if they do that, the sky could be the limit.