Brandon Ingram, a wing-pulling progression among the Pelicans

After three seasons of steady progress with the Lakers, from 9 to 16 then 18 points on average, Brandon Ingram has done even better since arriving in New Orleans.

In Louisiana, Ingram has passed a major milestone in his career, becoming All-Star for the first time, also seeing himself awarded the title of Most Improved Player. We must admit that with more than 23 points on average, plus 6 rebounds and 4 assists, Ingram is now part of the league.

Why such an explosion? Basket USA offers you some answers.

Motivated by lack

The first thing to know is that Brandon Ingram first had to deal with a particularly dangerous injury. Victim of a phlebitis in the arm, the winger was lucky to have been taken care of very early by the medical profession, without that, he could have experienced complications – or even the end of his career – like by Chris Bosh and Mirza Teletovic.

Fortunately for Ingram, this physical glitch only remained a small glitch. He did not know it yet, but the slender winger had then played his last game under the colors of the Lakers …

“Being injured this summer has helped me focus and make the most of every moment when I’m on the pitch. I really enjoy every time I can play ”, he recently told the LA Times. « I want to get in shape and try to develop my work ethic to stay focused on my goals, on and off the pitch. I want to stay mentally balanced. I thank my teammates and the coaches who encourage me on a daily basis. “

The second element is that Ingram changed his approach in attack. Instead of making 3-pointers an ulterior motive, Ingram made it his first offensive weapon.

With the Pelicans, Ingram attempted more than a third of his shots behind the 3-point line, down from just 13% the previous season. And this with an improved percentage, from 33 to 39%. Suddenly, Ingram scored 150 shots from behind the arc, more than his first three seasons combined!

A much better address

In addition, with the accumulated experience, Ingram no longer hesitates to take a rope and finish on contact. The large vine begins to seriously panic in the opposing rackets with its ability to complete its actions despite the fault. Like his model Kevin Durant, Ingram has long segments that allow him to enjoy advantageous duels against almost every opponent.

As a corollary of his 3-point progression, Ingram has also restored his throwing success percentage to standards more in line with his new All Star status. Oddly limited to 68% since the start of his career on the penalty line, Ingram corrected the situation, literally, by increasing his percentage to a much more decent 85%. More or less, he can add 5 points automatically to his total in each match by his work to cause faults.

After the switch, Ingram finds himself faced with interiors that are usually his size, if not smaller, and he can now torment them regularly with a strengthened upper body. Faced with boys rather referred to as “physical”, such as Markieff Morris (of the Lakers), Rudy Gobert or Jaren Jackson Jr., Ingram managed to finish his actions for the basket, the fault, and sometimes the complete: basket plus fault.

Against the Jazz in this case, Ingram planted the trifle of 49 points last January. On a big night, Ingram simply flaunted his offensive palette. From the game to the circle, small shots indisputable in the small perimeter and shots at 3-point clutchs at the end of the game, Ingram added 8 rebounds and 6 assists, and this, in an overtime victory against the Jazz ( 138-132). A performance that says a lot about the intrinsic talent of this boy who has quite simply found his way.

“I had taken the lead a little too much [lors de ma saison rookie] », he confessed to us at the start of his 2nd NBA season. “I lost control a bit and I didn’t know if I was really good anymore… It was better over the last two months. But now I have to relax, play free spirit. I have to trust my qualities. When I play hard I can be among the best. “

Easy in the Big Easy

His premonition of 2017 actually came true in 2020 with his first All-Star cape which comes, it should also be noted, after a transfer that sent him from the merry bazaar of Los Angeles (where he played alongside LeBron James) in the quiet of the small New Orleans market, the “Big Easy” where Ingram can indeed play free spirit.

“They are good people, genuine, and good food, it’s a good vibe in general”, assure Ingram. “I like it, it reminds me a bit of where I come from. I see some stuff here that really reminds me of my village. It’s quieter and I appreciate it. “

Hailing from North Carolina, and more specifically the village of Kinston known for its passion for the orange ball – apart from exploding crime and poverty, Brandon Ingram was not necessarily at home in the sprawling city of Los Angeles. And even less in a dysfunctional locker room like that of the Lakers …

“In LA, he never went out, he was not on the stage”, Hart specifies on ESPN. “He was always quiet at home. If you wanted to spend some time with him, you had to go to his house and invite yourself. We ate a little and played video games, that kind of thing. “

At NOLA, Brandon Ingram lives again. He can live at his own pace again, realizing the saying that a player comfortable off the court will be that much more productive on the boards. The quintessential gym rat, knowing his father ran precisely one of Kinston’s busiest gyms, young Brandon forged a hardened steel work ethic, as exemplified by his special relationship with Jerry Stackhouse, another native of this village of irreducible “ballers”.

An increasingly complete attacker

But what impresses the most about Ingram is that he plays fair. His progression in attack is global: he certainly shoots more at 3-points, because it is in tune with the times and almost an imperative obligation in the current game, but Ingram can still attack the circle and distribute the game to his teammates .

Do not be fooled by his half-asleep or even lymphatic air, T-Mac style, Ingram has his eyes wide open to let go of the leather on his unmarked teammate! In any case, it is an occurrence more and more frequent, and logical, with Ingram who can see “over” the defense from the top of his 2m01 (official size).

Increasingly strong offensively, Ingram is reaping the rewards with more opportunities to play in isolation, the ultimate reward. According to NBA.com, Ingram was ranked 13th in the League in terms of possessions in isolation (averaging 3.1 per game).

Ingram fixes defenses with his increasingly lethal versatility, and that frees up his passing game as a result. We have already seen him serve the other young Dukie of the group, Zion Williamson, for overpowered dunks of which he has the secret. It is also Williamson that Ingram seeks first in his teammates, a privileged relationship that could be brought to grow again next season, and the following ones …

A doubt remains, however. If the Pelicans liked to play fast this season with Alvin Gentry, which opened up spaces for the Williamsons, Ball and therefore Ingram, what about Stan Van Gundy? Historically, SVG teams are formations that set the game and play on half-court …

Sufficient for a max contract?

Restricted free agent, Brandon Ingram significantly upped the ante. Despite a serious injury and a back-to-back transfer, Ingram hasn’t broken his three-season-long positive momentum. On the contrary, he progressed even faster, showing in sequences that he could even set an example in defense when necessary …

“On this action against Kelly Oubre, I told myself that if I give up, then all the other players will stop playing on this type of action. Someone other than me could have blocked this shot but the fact that I made the effort to come back on defense [pour empêcher un dunk facile], it’s going to encourage the other guys to come back on defense and not let go. “

Still perfectible on this side of the pitch, Ingram nevertheless presents the physical tools and the necessary predispositions in terms of timing and placement to become a defender with a positive impact. Better, and despite appearances, the young Ingram seems to have the shoulders necessary to become a franchise leader.

Much more than Zach LaVine ($ 78 million over 4 years) or Malcolm Brogdon ($ 85 million over 4 years), and arguably less than Jamal Murray ($ 158 million over five years), Brandon Ingram can – and should – in anyway break the bank in the coming weeks. At only 23, he still has a lot of room for improvement… and the boy is already an All-Star, that’s to say!

“My motivation is to be the best I can be. I don’t think I can play perfect but I do think I can come close if I keep preparing myself well, and if I keep doing everything in my power to become the best version of myself. At the same time, I want all my teammates to also feel more comfortable on the pitch and play their game. That’s where I’m happiest, when every player on the pitch is at their own. easy. “