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NEW ORLEANS, LA -OCTOBER 25: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on October 25, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /

Brandon Ingram needs to be the focal point of the New Orleans Pelicans until Zion is back in action

Saving his new contract to be dealt with in the offseason, Brandon Ingram is on a tear to start off the year in New Orleans.

Ingram is finding comfort in a leading the Pelicans charge to start the season. Including 35 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists in an outing against the Houston Rockets, Ingram has looked in command and control of a Pelicans offense that hasn’t always looked in-sync to start the year.

Displaying his comfort in the new city, Brandon Ingram told Mark Medina of USA Today of the impact the new team has had on his own enjoyment with the New Orleans Pelicans.

"“I would say this is a better environment,” Ingram said. “There are a lot of genuine people here that are pretty solid. No shame to the Lakers because they are a high-class organization. They do everything well and have a good fan base. But I like this spot.”"

Ingram is leading the team in usage to start the year with a 28% rate, but it would probably be beneficial to see that number tick even higher.

Leading the team in points, blocks, and rebounds to start the season, Ingram has been a captivating new menace for the league to try and stop. Averaging 27.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, he’s been incredible to watch go to work.

Brandon Ingram looks awesome. Making such advanced plays. Only 22, defends multiple positions, good passing vision, creates space and shoots well off the dribble. He’s gotten better every year. Still has a chance to be the best player from the 2016 class. https://t.co/ZL3ETIERac
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) October 27, 2019

Scoring at an out-of-his-mind clip to start the season, Ingram is shooting 52.5% from the floor, but a mind-bending 52.6% rate from three-point range, attempting 6.3 looks from that territory per game thus far, both of which are better clips than he posted for the Lakers in any of his first three seasons.

For now, Holiday needs to keep finding ways to get Brandon Ingram the ball, because he is feasting for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Whether it’s renewed comfort or simply another year’s development putting the wind in his sails, he’s been captivating through three games. Even when Zion Williamson returns to the floor, Ingram could be counted on as the team’s primary scoring option.

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