Recently, we discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the Zion Williamson-Brandon Ingram pairing. Given some of their overlapping offensive games and defensive limitations, it could be smart to stagger these two more often.
Even in a slightly down season, Zion Williamson is a one-man wrecking crew offensively. For both Ingram and Zion, playing them without CJ McCollum has been effective, with the Pelicans’ net rating reaching a staggering 9.2 with a 112.8 defensive rating. Especially for Williamson, pairing him with the Pelicans’ other defensive wings can produce results.
Williamson’s three most effective partners by net rating are all defense-oriented role players (Marshall, Daniels, Alvarado). The trio of Williamson, Marshall and Murphy have only played 112 minutes together but the results have been strong (10.5 net). Swapping one or more of the Pelicans’ offense-oriented players for more wing defenders around Zion helps cover for his limitations. When defenses target Zion, wings like Murphy, Daniels, Marshall and Herb Jones have the range and instincts to cover ground and plug up gaps.
Without Ingram and/or McCollum on the floor, Williamson can still facilitate strong offense. Against some teams, he can bludgeon defenses without strong paint protectors. Murphy especially is a phenomenal off-ball player, thriving as a cutter and a spacer when defenses wall up to deter Zion’s drives.
Staggering Williamson with the bench opens up another slot for a defender with the starting group which has also been effective. Ingram and McCollum are a potent offensive duo and their lineups without Williamson maintain an elite defensive rating (111.2). Pairing Herb Jones with any of the Pelicans’ other plus defenders produces positive results and Ingram, McCollum and Valanciunas are effective enough offensively to make up for Zion on the bench.
Both elite creators off of motion, Ingram and McCollum synergize smoothly in New Orleans’ offensive flow. Either player can initiate offense with the other curling around screens or spacing the floor in pick-and-roll action. With Valanciunas on the floor to gobble up space in the paint, they can float by the perimeter and fly off of his screens for easy mid-range jumpers.
The extra added spacing without Zion further boosts McCollum’s off-catch attack. Ingram’s gravity as a scorer and shotmaker tilts defenses and forces attention and with spacers on the floor, McCollum often has swathes of open hardwood to attack into.
New Orleans is one of three teams in the NBA (Boston, Miami) with three 19+ points per game scorers on the roster. Maximizing all of that scoring talent can be a challenge; there are only so many shots to go around with three or four shoot-first players on the floor. But this is a good problem to have, as the Pelicans have the complementary pieces to make their talent work. They’ll have to get creative, but the reward will be well worth the effort.
Analysis by Ben Pfeifer
For more content, visit HITP Sports on YouTube or HITP Sports online.
READ MORE
- The Future of the Pelicans May Hinge on Whether Zion & B.I. Can Make the Leap to Elite Duo
- Will Missing Dyson Daniels Damage the Pelicans’ Playoff Push?
- Pelicans Begin Critical 4-Game Home Stand Against Woeful Wizards
- Pelicans Can Move 10 Games Above .500 For First Time Since 2018 With Win Over Lakers
- Pelicans Open 4-Game Road Trip With Major Test Vs. Clippers
- New Orleans, You Have A Problem; Pelicans Facing 4-Game Losing Streak
- Boston Is a Tough Place For Pelicans To Try To Break Out of the Doldrums
- Jordan Hawkins’ Mulitfaceted Offensive Game Makes Him a Real Weapon For The Pelicans
- Has Zion Williamson Reached A Turning Point As A Defender?
- As Decision Looms on Valanciunas’ Future, His Contributions Are Greater Than Ever
- Mile High Mission: Pelicans Can Tie Franchise Road Streak Record With Win Over Nuggets
