The New Orleans Pelicans will use Brandon Ingram as the point guard in the second unit.
The New Orleans Pelicans were missing a few key players in their preseason win over the Miami Heat, but we still got a glimpse of the future of how Brandon Ingram could be used.
Both Ingram and Zion Williamson were electric in the first game and look ready to assume the roles of team leader and franchise cornerstone.
Zion put in a workman-like 26 points, most via layups in traffic, while Ingram was lights-out from all over the court.
The Pels were missing Eric Bledsoe, JJ Redick and Wenyen Gabriel but we should still have an idea of where the rotations are after game one.
If you look at the Pels’ depth chart, there is really only one point guard behind Lonzo Ball and that is 19-year-old rookie Kira Lewis Jr.
Lewis Jr. is not likely to start the season in the rotation, meaning Stan Van Gundy will either have to stagger Bledsoe and Ball or use someone else to handle the ball in the second unit.
After the first game, it looks like that person will be Brandon Ingram.
New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram is the backup point guard
Ingram was the only starter to stay on the floor with the bench in the second quarter of the first preseason game against Miami.
He rolled with a lineup of Nicolo Melli, Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Sindarius Thornwell, a group that does not have a real point guard.
But when you have a talent like Ingram, it doesn’t matter.
Ingram assumed primary ballhandling duties with this group and looked comfortable in the role, initiating the offense with confidence, finding his own shot and setting up teammates.
Ingram finished the game with six assists, a sign of things to come as SVG unleashes more of his potential as a ballhandler on the wing.
Ingram and Zion are going to be handling the ball a lot in SVG’s offense, so when Lonzo hits the bench, we will see lineups without point guards.
In today’s positionless NBA, everyone has to share these duties and Brandon Ingram is more than up to the task.