This coming season offers a new chapter in the Brandon Ingram story. The small forward's career with the Los Angeles Lakers never really took flight. Despite his decent scoring outputs, he was deemed as an important piece to the Anthony Davis trade and is now part of the New Orleans Pelicans. Depending on how you see the trade, you may think that Ingram's career is now over. He's on his way to becoming a role player before eventually fading out of the league.
However, there's no statement more wrong than that. This is the best time for Brandon Ingram to showcase what he's got to the Lakers organization and the entire league. With the Pelicans, he has a platform to present himself as one of the best scoring wings in the league that could lead the Pelicans to an improbable playoff push.
One of the reasons why he could thrive with the Pelicans this season can be pointed to one Zion Williamson.
The larger-than-life rookie has shown everyone that the hype he got is justified. He's dominating pro players the same way he did in college. His athleticism, combined with his basketball skill, makes him a big threat that opposing coaches will gameplan on.
Ingram has a year of experience playing with another freak of nature in LeBron James. He knows what transcendent superstars need, and he can adjust his game accordingly. Moreover, the double teams Zion will get coming into the league will help him get open looks and easy shots.
Another reason why the former Blue Devil would have a successful season at New Orleans is the set expectations. While he may be playing with another LeBron-type player, the Pelicans aren't expected to make any noise in the playoffs at all. Since they are playing in such a stacked conference, the expectation for them is to spend the entire season developing and jelling as a team.
With lessened pressure on them, Ingram can comfortably find his game. It will take a while for the team to find what works best with them, and the lack of bright lights in the Big Easy will help him succeed.
Finally, Ingram is hungry to prove his haters wrong. He's been branded as a discounted version of Kevin Durant who cannot finish inside the rim. Moreover, some fans have dismissed him ever since the Davis trade was finalized.
Any basketball player worth his salt will want to show critics just what kind of player they're bashing on TV and online. There's a reason to believe that Ingram will want to prove people wrong. This coming season is the perfect backdrop for his mini-redemption tour.
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