New Orleans Pelicans: Experimenting with Ingram at Power Forward

With Zion Williamsom absent for a family emergency, the New Orleans Pelicans are trying different lineup combinations, including Brandon Ingram at the four.

Brandon Ingram has made it clear that he will do whatever it takes to help the New Orleans Pelicans win basketball games.

He said he never thought about sitting out in Orlando, and now that Zion Williamson is missing time with a family emergency, Ingram has no problem stepping up.

That includes playing some time at power forward.

The New Orleans Pelicans have been reluctant to use Ingram at the four, as he weighs under 200 lbs. and they don’t want the physicality of the position to adversely affect his offense.

While Gentry may be hesitant to use him there too much, Ingram is up for it, saying:

"“Whatever the Coach wants…If I’m still at (small forward), or at the four, I know we have guys who can step up in those positions. We have shooters coming off the bench, a bunch of shooters who can space the floor. It’s just kind of a different dynamic.”"

Ingram may be game, but Gentry sounds a lot more unsure about how to best fill the void left by Zion’s absence. He had this to say about Ingram playing big minutes at the four:

"“I think we’ll use him there some. I don’t know how much. We’re going to experiment with some other situations, because I think the physicality of that position – when you try to play (Ingram) 35, 38 minutes, is a little much. We’re going to look at some things during these scrimmages, as far as how we can fill the void if Zion is not back. Hopefully that won’t be the case.”"

Obviously Gentry hopes Zion comes back, as he doesn’t sound too comfortable with the physical toll playing power forward would potentially have on Ingram.

New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram at power forward may be the best solution.

Gentry might not prefer it, but the Pelicans have had some success playing Ingram at power forward when Zion was out.

In fact, Ingram started at power forward eight times during the season and the Pelicans went 5-3 during that span.

In this lineup they used their normal starting backcourt plus J.J. Redick at small forward, Ingram at the four and Favors at center.

This lineup has played 146 minutes together and has a -1.0 net rating, which is not good, but it is 4th best among lineups that have played at least 50 minutes together.

There is no ideal replacement scenario for Zion, as you can’t replace someone like him, but if Ingram has to play the four in stretches, it shouldn’t kill the Pelicans and they will find mismatches on the offensive end.

Gentry probably hopes this isn’t a factor and that Zion is back, but if he’s not, expect Ingram to get some run at power forward.