NBA news: On paper, the New Orleans Pelicans have one of the best lineups in the league. The problem is, for the most part, this has all been on paper. Injuries have prevented the Pelicans from really reaching their tue potential.
When talking about New Orleasn’ injuries, Zion Williamson is the first name that comes to mind. However, Brandon Ingram has had his fair share of injury layoffs as well, and there’s also no denying that this has played a key role in the Pelicans’ success — or rather, the lack thereof.
Brandon Ingram on the Bucks: ‘Win at an Elite Level’
Speaking on a recent interview with William Guillory of The Athletic, Ingram spoke openly about the pressure his team is facing ahead of the new season. The Pels are now entering Year 5 of Ingram and Zion at the helm, and at this point, the only thing they have to show for in half a decade is a single first-round playoff exit.
Given all the disappointment, Ingram was asked if there’s a sense of urgency heading into 2023-24, to which the 6-foot-8 forward responded in an honest manner:
“We have urgency going into every season,” he said. “People look at our roster, and you can see we were the No. 1 team in the West at one point for a reason. I know people have used health and everything as an excuse for us. But we’ve got enough. We’ve just got to continue building our foundation every single day, making sure that when guys leave, we’re still playing the right way.
“I’m excited about our team and the potential we’re building on. It’s been a process every single year. We’ve gotten better. We’ve gotten to know each other. We’ve figured out how all the pieces fit.”
Ingram then went on to talk about the level of success teams like the Milwaukee Bucks have achieved over the past few years. It appears the Pelicans forward considers Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are the barometer to success:
“It’s going to be even better next year because the same guys have been together for three or four years now,” Ingram said. “You see the teams that win at an elite level — the Milwaukee Bucks, the Warriors, last year with the Denver Nuggets — those teams have been together and they’ve experienced a lot together. It takes time. We’ve just got to put our best foot forward and ensure everybody’s on the same page.”
At this point, it would not be right to compare the Pelicans to the Bucks (or the Warriors or the Nuggets). However, a lot can change in the span of a year. So long as they can stay healthy, you have to say that the sky is the limit for the Pels.
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