New Orleans Pelicans: 3 reasons to feel positive about the Pels start

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 17: Josh Hart #3 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans share a conversation during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 17, 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 is giving the New Orleans Pelicans a second star to help build for the future.

One of the more interesting players out of the gate in the 2019-2020 NBA season, Brandon Ingram has turned a lot of heads with his renewed excellence as a member of the Pelicans.

When the New Orleans Pelicans made the swap to bring a trove of assets over from the Los Angeles Lakers, there was hope that at least one superstar could help mend the gap that was the loss of Anthony Davis.

Instead of being in a future draft, the team is finding something in Brandon Ingram, who looks like someone who could very well be in the New Orleans Pelicans plans for the long haul.

Granted, it was a rough week for Ingram, as he warmed up prior to each contest but ultimately missed three straight games.

It’s been more about the games Ingram has played for the New Orleans Pelicans thus far, however, where he’s been a stat sheet filler. Ingram is averaging 25.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, but has really been the catalyst for all of the team’s offense.

Ingram is off to an incredible start shooting the ball, hitting 53.7% of his shots from the floor, but that’s not as daunting as the lanky finisher’s 46.9% rate from three on what’s been a by-far a career-high in attempts, as he’s taking 5.4 looks from deep per night in New Orleans.

He’s also giving Executive VP of Basketball Operations David Griffin a pretty easy choice to make on the terms of his contract this offseason (if you want a hint, think about the word “MAX”).

Seemingly helped in part by Alvin Gentry’s up-tempo offense and in part by just being able to be himself in a city not so engulfed in as much media pressure, Ingram looks like a new man.

There’s a chance that when Zion Williamson gets back in action, the two could quickly become one of the best duos in the league, potentially the best Under-25 duo in professional sports.

Brandon Ingram is still just 22-years-old and has plenty of room for improvement for the New Orleans Pelicans. The front runner for the league’s Most Improved Player is giving fans plenty of evidence that the expansion to his game might not slow down anytime soon.

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