The New Orleans Pelicans now sit at the 10th spot in the western conference at 21-32 after their 120-107 win against the Houston Rockets. From a team that started off looking like they were tanking and potentially preparing for the “losing Zion Marathon”, now they look like a rising group people could be scared to see. And Brandon Ingram is looking like an All-star as he galvanizes this team to win. The Pelicans smell blood in the water, and they may shark their way into a play-in spot.
Smelling blood
“ We’ve had the goal of getting into the Playoffs since the beginning of the season, and, it looks more promising for us” –Brandon Ingram
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If they keep up this play, The Pelicans might be able to sneak their way into an 8th or 9th seed. This is a farfetched dream, but anything is possible in the NBA as KG said. If the Pelicans can get Zion back this year with the momentum they’re playing with, the playoffs will be a promise for the team in the crescent city.
If the Pelicans make the playoffs this season it will be one of the NBA’s most interesting cinderella stories, especially with them missing their superstar forward in Zion Williamson for most of it. However, this Pelicans group is making noise and collectively putting together a great run. I wouldn’t want to be swimming in their waters, because right now, they’re humbly smelling blood and attacking it.
Brandon Ingram the leader
Led behind their All-star forward in Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans are a middle-of-the-road team at 17-20 with the forward in the line-up. That’s a much bigger difference than the 2-12 record they have without him. This is an astonishing stat line, especially because their record could reflect differently if BI were available for those games he missed. ( Imagine BI and Zion healthy and together sheesh). However, they seem to have a groove and are winning some must-need games recently, thus climbing in the rankings.
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For the season, Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.6 ppg, 5.9 RPG, and 5.4 APG after the game against the Rockets. The Pelicans have won three straight now and in that stretch Ingram is averaging 27.3 ppg and 9.3 APG, with back-to-back 12 assist games. It seems that Ingram is finally catching a groove midway into a rocky and tumultuous Pelicans season. Without their biggest attraction in Zion Williamson, Ingram is coming into his own as a leader of a team, willing the Pelicans into a 10th spot and a play-in potentially.
All-Star BI?
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Now the question is, is BI an All-star this season? He can be with Draymond Green announcing that he won’t play in this year’s festivities due to injury. Ingram will have to compete with the likes of Dejounte Murray and Jaren Jackson Jr. who both are having career years. (maybe the injury reserves should have a game of king of the court to get that spot). However, he is playing brilliantly this season. Brandon may have more of a chance to make that final spot before the big game in the rock and roll hall of fame city.
The Pelicans smell blood. And with their recent play, it would be a pleasant surprise to see them fly into a playoff spot this year.
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