New Orleans Pelicans: As Zion returns, Brandon Ingram is blossoming into a star
As Zion Williamson prepares to make his debut for the New Orleans Pelicans, Brandon Ingram is quietly blossoming into a legit star
As the New Orleans Pelicans await the debut of their prized 2019 draft pick Zion Williamson, it would behoove them to notice and realize that they might already have a prized possession on their roster and for now Zion will just be a compliment to the party.
Granted once Zion returns and he gets comfortable back on the court everyone expects him to be that bonified superstar that the Pelicans drafted No. 1 overall. But what if the Pelicans have a star on their hands already, a player who can be the pillar of the future for years to come?
Insert Brandon Ingram; Ingram has taken a giant leap in that direction and has asserted himself as a go-to player down the stretch when the game is on the line. In his fourth year in the NBA, Ingram isn’t just balling, he is having a career year, averaging close to 25 points and six rebounds per game after spending his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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We caught glimpses of Ingram trying to figure it out as a rookie with a young D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle, then LeBron James joined during his third year as he tried to compliment the future Hall of Famer at the wing.
But when that experiment didn’t go as planned the Lakers shipped Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis before the start of this season. Now in his first season as a Pelican, he looks like that elite player everyone expected him to be and it looks like it’s finally his time to shine.
Ingram looks comfortable, at ease, and confident that he can carry a team and make the plays needed down the stretch. He’s also created an excellent repertoire with his two former Laker teammates who were part of the trade which has translated over to success for the Pelicans.
As the season moves along it will be interesting to see when Zion is at full strength what actually happens with Ingram’s numbers and his play. How will he share the court with a player dubbed the future of the Pelicans, when Ingram can be the guy right now.
Next. The Legend Of Zion Williamson Begins. dark
When it’s all set and done, Ingram might have something to say about that star the Pelicans were once looking for and make them realize they might have acquired their star not drafted their star.