New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for blowout loss to the Utah Jazz
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz: Player Grades for the small forwards
Small Forwards
C. . Small Forward. New Orleans Pelicans. BRANDON INGRAM
Like most of the New Orleans Pelicans, Brandon Ingram disappeared in the second half.
He ended the game with just 17 points on 18 shots, numbers that cannot continue if the Pels want to have a chance to win.
This isn’t all Ingram’s fault by any means, he is often asked to carry a lousy offense that doesn’t really have a playmaker other than Zion Williamson.
Ingram isolation plays have been the Pels’ go-to offense, which usually just result in tough shots for Ingram, who is much better if he doesn’t have to dribble the ball too much.
He didn’t make a single 3-point shot and only attempted one, which is unacceptable for their best 3-point shooter.
SVG needs to find ways to get Ingram the ball in the flow of the offense, get him some shots off movement so he doesn’t just have to rely on backing his guy down for a difficult, contested shot.
Ingram looked much better last season when he looked to set up his teammates off the dribble as opposed to only looking to score.
SVG’s offense has been woeful, partially because it relies far too much on Ingram isolation.