The New Orleans Pelicans are on a mission, of which is to make the NBA playoffs this season. It would be quite a feat for the franchise considering they traded away their star player to the Los Angeles Lakers last summer. Ironically, they would likely face the same team if they end up catching the last bus to the postseason wars.
Zion Williamson could be the difference-maker to make that happen. But when the rookie was down, there was someone else who carried the Pelicans behind his back. He is no other than Brandon Ingram, ironically one of the main players in that Anthony Davis trade.
According to Ingram, it would be fun to battle his former team in the NBA playoffs. However, he is aware that the task of pulling off an upset will not be easy. The 22-year-old is aware that the Lakers are overflowing with talent, and all he and his teammates can do is compete, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported.
“The coach (the Pelicans’ Alvin Gentry) has mentioned it a little bit. Of course the team likes to stay in the moment. We don’t look that far ahead, but the coaches have mentioned it a little bit. It would be fun to try to battle against them and see (if) we can get the best of them,” Ingram said.
As far as being dealt away, Ingram made it clear that he holds no ill feelings. He understands it is a business and remains thankful for being given the opportunity to make his dreams come true. But being the fighter he is, expect Ingram to show up the Lakers and prove to them why he recently got his first all-star nod.
For the season, Ingram has put up monster numbers, averaging 24.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. These are career-high numbers ever since he moved out of Hollywood. A look at Basketball-Reference.com shows him improving from his career averages of 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
Together with Williamson, the road ahead looks promising. They will have a lighter schedule of games ahead, something that can aid them in hopefully snagging the eighth spot. The Lakers could be their opponent, but the first order of business is cracking the magic eight. With 24 games to go, the Pelicans have a golden chance with Ingram and Williamson determined to make it happen.
