New Orleans Pelicans: Ranking their projected starting five
No.1 starter for the New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson is the future of the Pelicans as an organization. He was the most hyped-up rookie we’ve seen in years, and in his shortened season he proved why. In 24 games over his first season in the league, Zion averaged 22.5 points per game on 58.3 percent shooting. He would’ve been rookie of the year if he played a full season, or if it wasn’t for Ja Morant’s exceptional debut season.
I think I speak for everyone when I say that my fingers are crossed for a healthy season for Zion this year. The ceiling for a full season out of him in just his second year is ridiculous. We’ve not seen a player like him ever in the league, and perhaps might never again. Injury problems are the only thing that’ll hold him back from becoming an all-time talent.
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Zion will reportedly be playing more time at the small forward position this season. Expect him to start at the four, with Ingram at the other corner, but this will give him flexibility. There’ll be opportunities for him to slash to the basket, whilst also developing his shot – which looks like it can be a serious weapon eventually. Zion only attempted 13 3-pointers over his rookie year, but he went 42.9 percent on these. In college, he also showed potential as a deep-threat. Expanding on this will give opposing defenders so many problems down the line. He’ll be impossible to guard.
New Orleans is a great place for Zion at this point in his career. He’s the face of the franchise, in a small market, and has a bunch of young talent as well as veteran leaders playing alongside him. Let’s hope for a huge year from the superstar.
No.2 starter: Brandon Ingram
2020-21 was a breakout season for Brandon Ingram. He made his first All-Star team and earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. At this stage, I think it’s fair to say that Zion and Ingram are 1A and 1B in terms of rank for the Pelicans. Ingram will look to build on a massive year and solidify himself as a perennial All-Star over the coming season.
Last season saw Ingram take the league by storm. He averaged career highs in points, rebounds, and assists per game with 23.8, 6.1, and 4.2, respectively with a 58.7 true shooting percentage. He’s long been compared to NBA superstar Kevin Durant, and after watching him last year you can see why these comparisons were drawn as he came out of Duke. His slender frame and his touch on the shot aren’t the only similarities.
Like KD, Ingram has shown that he has all the tools to become an elite scorer in this league. From the wing, he gets in fantastic positions for corners 3’s, and he is fantastic at cutting to the bucket. With the two playmakers in Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball taking up the two backcourt spots, there’ll be the right guys present for Ingram to make strides as a scorer.
It’s going to be another big year for the 23-year-old. He’ll look to keep his foot on the gas and build on what was a phenomenal personal year last time out.