World News – USA – Kushner: Pelicans’ Ingram, Williamson rule first

New Orleans Pelicans striker Zion Williamson (left) spots Josh Timogie (20) of Minnesota Timberwolves alongside Brandon Ingram (14) of Pelicans. during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan.. March 2020. (AP Photo / Matthew Hinton)

Zion Williamson (left), New Orleans Pelicans striker, spills Josh Timogie (20) of Minnesota Timberwolves alongside Brandon Ingram (14) of Pelicans, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan.. March 2020. (AP Photo / Matthew Hinton)

No matter how many moves are made on the sidelines, the success of this team depends more on those two shoulders than on anything else.

One, a devastating 20-year-old who has overpowered and outmaneuvered great men in less than 25 games of his career. The other, a lean, lanky 23-year-old who has gone from an injury-ridden puzzle to the NBA’s most improved player and all-star.

Together they share enough talent and virtues to realistically form a competitive core. Even if they come across it from different places.

While Zion’s status with the Pelicans was the foundation from the moment the Pelicans won the 2019 Draft Lottery, Ingram’s status wasn’t really cemented until last month when he inked a five-year, 158 million contract U.S. dollar.

« I want to congratulate Brandon, » Williamson said earlier this week. Brandon more than deserved this maximum contract. All that extra work he’s put in. I always try to get better and be a great teammate so I’m glad he will stay here.

We have a great relationship for him and me. Honestly, we look forward to just taking a few steps and trying to win. It’s as simple as I can put it. We want to win together. â ????

Because as we learned in the Anthony Davis era, this means nothing to team success, no matter how talented an individual superstar is and how many All-NBA honors they collect. So Ingram and Williamson have to grow together, make their games complementary, and lean on each other to win.

« (Coach) Stan (Van Gundy) talked really well about the two of us and figured out how to integrate both of us. « Ingram said he would mate with Williamson for the long term. I think talent will of course go together. Of course, if we communicate it will be much better and we will find out how we score the basketball, are on the same side and what are not. All in all, it’s about our efforts.

The pelicans jumped both feet into this pairing, even though they only shared the ground for 408 minutes. And although New Orleans outperformed their opponents with an impressive 8. 2 points per 100 possessions in those minutes, it was worse than Williamson’s performance paired with three other Pelican starters (Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday and Derrick Favors).

But when pelicans decision makers are asked if there is any fear of putting so much trust in this pairing, there is no hesitation. There is talk of their ability to play positional basketball, stand on either side of a pick and roll, and willingly share the ball.

And despite Ingram’s age, they believe he can be Zion’s mentor and wingman at the same time.

« We didn’t sign (Ingram) to be anything other than a leader of our franchise, and he didn’t sign to be anything other than that leader. « ? Executive Vice President David Griffin said. We are a family here. And that’s what we wanted to be, and I think Brandon got that very clearly. â ????

â ???? So I see him to a great extent leading this group and helping Zion through what he went through at the same stage in his career. This is not an easy sport to flip the switch and be dominant. I think he has the ability to help Zion deal with some of the challenges he may face. â ????

But most of the time this pairing is judged on what they can achieve in the overall standings. Reaching the playoffs is a difficult task even with the play-in tournament model due to their experience and a stacked western conference.

Unless they’re playing at least all-star levels, it’s hard to fathom how the Pelicans are on their way to a successful season. Admittedly, it’s a lot to ask two players this early in their careers who are playing in a new system on a rebuilding team.

And if the pelicans thrive, it will be up to them. If the franchise doesn’t start right away, the pressure on the air increases.

Are you ready for Pelicans basketball? Do you even know who is on the team? Have you ever heard the Steven Adams accent?

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Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Basketball, Duke Blue Devils Men’s Basketball, Stan Van Gundy