New Orleans Pelicans: 5 bold predictions for Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans: Is Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram the best offensive player?

Prediction #3

Zion Williamson, not Brandon Ingram, will lead the Pels in scoring

This isn’t necessarily a bold prediction, as Zion was very close to leading the team last season.

I think most people expect Ingram to seize the mantle as the team’s top scorer, but there are a few reasons this isn’t going to happen.

The first is that Ingram occasionally has an off night. We saw it in the final preseason game against the Bucks, where Ingram missed a few tough shots, got out of rhythm and never really got back into the game.

When Zion has an off night he’ll get 25 points anyway, as most of his baskets are dunks, layups and free throws. Zion can get his without a single play run for him and it doesn’t matter if his shot is falling because he rarely shoots.

The other reason is that teams are going to focus more on stopping Ingram this season. He can be bodied with a big wing, and even though he often knocks them down, it is far easier to get Ingram to take tough shots than it is Zion, who no one can push around.

Zion and Ingram are a great duo together, one of the best in the NBA, mostly because their styles complement one another.

You can try to lockdown one of them, but it will be tough to stop both, especially Zion, whose style leads to fewer “off nights.”