Brandon Ingram Grade: A
The star potential was always there. It’s the reason he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2016. The Kevin Durant-like body who scored with ease at every level on the court. Maybe it was the injuries, maybe it was the distractions and bright lights that come with being in LA, maybe it was the lack of development in Luke Walton’s system, or maybe it was the wrong fit.
Whatever the reason, Ingram’s full potential never fully materialized in his three years with the Lakers. There were certainly flashes, where Ingram would go stretches of attacking the rim with force and getting to his spots for pull up jumpers. However, there was a lack of consistency over extended periods.
Since the trade went down, Ingram has become a revitalized, aggressive, playmaking force on the Pelicans. He has emerged as a legitimate number one option and a go-to scorer in crunch time situations. Defensively, his quick feet and long arms have always been a nightmare for opposing ball handlers and he is a prime candidate to switch onto all types of perimeter players.
Some players just need a change in scenery to hit their stride. Leaving the distractions that come with LA may have helped Ingram but what really allowed him to take a leap in his game is the position his new coaching staff put him in. Head Coach Alvin Gentry allowed Ingram to be a primary ball-handler and act as a facilitator for the offense, where he has shown to be a willing passer and a perfect pick and roll candidate.
In Ingram’s last season with LA, former Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton moved Ingram into a facilitator role when LeBron James went down with a groin injury. It was apparent then, and even more apparent now, that is the position Ingram flourishes.
Ingram was averaging 24 points per game at the suspension of the season, an increase of 6 points from the previous season in virtually the same number of minutes and will likely be a candidate for the Most Improved Player award.
The biggest leap for Ingram came in his ability to knock down threes consistently. Ingram shot 38 percent from three this year on 6.3 attempts per game. The previous year Ingram shot 33 percent on only 1.8 attempts per game. Ingram is no longer just a mid-range threat, forcing defenders to guard him closely on the perimeter, creating more blow byes for himself and open shots for his teammates.
The Pelicans are currently the 10th seed in the Western Conference and have had an up and down season thus far. The one constant, however, has been Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans hope he continues to stay healthy and grow as a player as they look to build a future around him and Zion Williamson.