Over the last few years, the New Orleans Pelicans have had plenty of talent and potential, but they have failed to realize that potential, at least so far.
They have three bona fide stars in Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, but Williamson and Ingram have had trouble staying healthy on a consistent basis.
While Ingram is one of the NBA’s most gifted one-on-one scorers, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith feels he doesn’t work hard enough, and Smith said he needs to be in an environment where he will be held accountable, per The OGs Show.
Stephen A. Smith says Brandon Ingram needs to be in an environment that holds him accountable
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— The OGs Show (@theOGsShow) July 15, 2024
Ingram arrived in New Orleans for the 2019-20 season, and he averaged 23.8 points a game that year while winning the Most Improved Player award and being named to the All-Star team for the first time.
While he has improved his field-goal shooting since then, his 3-point efficiency has fluctuated from year to year, and his scoring average fell to 20.8 points a game this past season.
Many have felt that Ingram, who is 6-foot-8, has tremendous defensive potential, but he hasn’t quite become the defensive stopper he possibly could’ve been by now.
The fact that he’s just 190 pounds despite being in the NBA for eight seasons could be evidence that he doesn’t work hard enough on his craft, as Smith claimed.
Ingram and crew will be joined by guard Dejounte Murray, a former All-Star whom the Pelicans recently acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, so they will have quite possibly the most talented team in franchise history.
But unless Ingram (and Williamson) raises his game, the Pelicans won’t go far in the playoffs.
NEXT:
Brandon Ingram Reportedly Seeking $200 Million Contract Extension
