On paper, Brandon Ingram’s 2020-21 season was impressive. After making the All-Star game in the previous season, Ingram had the nearly identically same season statistically this season.
However, like the Pelicans season as a whole, Ingram’s individual season felt like a disappointment. The 23-year old did not take a notable step forward just like New Orleans did not take a step forward.
With the Pelicans seen as Zion Williamson’s team now moving forward, how does Ingram fit into that fold?
Stat of the Season
2.8.
The only player Williamson played alongside more than Ingram this season was Eric Bledsoe. Together, Ingram and Williamson had a plus-2.8 net rating together on the court.
Notable Exit Interview Quote
On how he views his season…
“For my growth, I think it’s fuel for me. I’m not sure if disappointed is the word but I’ll say it. I’m disappointed in my play and, of course, the result at the end of this year because of how good I know I am and how good the team can be. It’s only fuel for me to be even better next year.”
Overview
After a season where he broke out and made the All-Star game, Ingram matched that season almost exactly. He averaged the exact same amount of points, shot 46.6% from the field this season versus 46.3% last season and had the exact same 53.1% effective field goal percentage.
The problem is the expectations rose for Ingram. A 22-year-old All-Star is not expected to plateau the following season.
In Ingram’s defense, his plateau also came in a season in which Williamson exploded onto the scene. The two did not share the court often due to injury in Williamson’s rookie season and that chemistry wasn’t built.
The result was the two players not complementing one another much this season. Instead, it was a lot of possessions where Ingram did his thing, then Williamson did his thing and not much of the combination of them.
To his credit, Ingram and Williamson noted that they needed to improve upon that situation, but that only came late in the year when the playoffs were out of sight.
So, in one sense, Ingram’s season was exactly as good as his All-Star campaign. But in another sense, he didn’t make the strides he was expected to make in his situation this season.
Outlook
The problem with the current situation with the Pelicans and Ingram is that, with Stan Van Gundy’s firing, Ingram will have his fourth head coach in as many seasons. After spending a year with Luke Walton in Los Angeles, Ingram has played under Alvin Gentry and Van Gundy in New Orleans and now will have yet another coach.
Stability has not been a common theme for Ingram’s professional career. That he’s succeeded around it is a testament to his work ethic, which is unquestioned. But the team needs stability around its franchise cornerstones moving forward.
In the same vein, those franchise cornerstones need to become a unit instead of two individual pieces. Ingram’s ability to run the pick and roll and knock down 3-pointers pairs well with Williamson’s ability to be a one-of-a-kind athlete with ball-handling ability. To have success together next season, those two must get on the same page moving forward.
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