Brandon Ingram admits he lost some of his confidence during his rookie season as he adjusted to playing against stronger players in the NBA.

“There were just a lot of expectations,” Ingram told Yahoo! Sports. “Coming to L.A., being the No. 2 pick. I always try to stay within myself. I think last year I kind of lost myself. I lost a little bit of confidence. I wasn’t comfortable until the last two months of the season. It was just a whirlwind. Going on the road, playing at home — it was crazy. Having a chance to come back in my second year, knowing what it’s all about, it’s been easier.”

Ingram entered last offseason determined to get stronger.

Ingram has a fast metabolism.

“Ridiculously fast,” Ingram said of his metabolism.

“Lot of red meat. Lot of food, period. I just tried to find myself eating as much as possible. Filling up on energy. I wasn’t overeating, but eating where I felt I was doing something.”

Ingram is getting to the rim better this season.

“He’s able to take more contact than he was last year,” Luke Walton said. “Which is huge for him because he is so good at getting those angles and getting to the rim with his length. The stronger you get, obviously, you can absorb that contact and still be on balance to finish those plays.”

Said Ingram: “[The strength] has helped my confidence. Driving to the rim I feel like I can take the physicality, the bumps. Getting to my spots is easier. Of course, I can get a lot stronger, but the jump that I made from last year has really helped.”