The New Orleans Pelicans’ duo of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram find themselves in rarefied air after putting up Hall of Fame statistics at a young age.
The New Orleans Pelicans have some of the best young talent in the NBA, a fact no one would argue.
But a closer look at the numbers reveals even more than the naked eye, as their two cornerstones are putting themselves alongside some of the league’s all-time greatest talent statistically.
Zion Williamson is just 19-years-old and Brandon Ingram just 22, but already they have put up numbers that should open some eyes across the league.
According to Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com, the two are poised to join Hall of Famers like David Robinson, LeBron James and Michael Jordan in some exclusive statistical clubs. Not a bad group.
Eichenhofer dug deep into the numbers to show how the two New Orleans Pelicans’ stars relate to these all-time greats. Here’s what he had to say about Ingram:
"“Ingram (24.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.3 apg) was on pace to become just the seventh different player in NBA history at age 22 or younger to average at least 24 points, six rebounds and four assists in a season…"
Some other names on that list? Some guys called LeBron, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson.
This is why the New Orleans Pelicans should give pause before pursuing any trades involving Ingram. He’s putting up numbers like a young Kevin Durant and if he keeps it up, could join him one day in the Hall of Fame.
Ingram isn’t the only one setting records for his age. Zion has only played only 19 games but already placed himself among the all-time greats when it comes to scoring and efficiency.
In fact, we’ve not seen numbers like this in three decades. According to Eichenhofer:
"“By averaging at least 23.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, Williamson was the first first-year pro to do so since San Antonio center David Robinson in ’89-90. ”"
If you are too young to have seen Robinson play, he was one of the most athletic centers in the history of the league, but he was also five years older than Zion as a rookie. Robinson came into the league as a full-grown man.
The last guy to do it before him? Oh, just Michael Jordan.
Zion will undoubtedly get stronger and in better shape as his knee fully heals and he has a full offseason in an NBA training room. It’s crazy to think that Zion can get any stronger, but at just 19, he has more room to grow than Jordan or Robinson did as much older rookies.
He’s also still raw skill-wise and can add tricks to his bag like better handles and passing, to evolve into one of the Pelicans’ primary playmakers.
The NBA is loaded with more young talent than ever before and the New Orleans Pelicans have hoarded a lot of the stockpile.
If Zion and Ingram continue to progress, they will join these all-time greats in the Hall of Fame someday, hopefully with a few rings on their fingers.
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