A redheaded step-child.

        I remember when the news broke. Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, and a slew of picks for Anthony Davis. The Lakers opted to keep Kuzma instead of Ingram next to Lebron James, and it was the biggest win the Pelicans organization had in a trade quite possibly in the entire history of the franchise. When Brandon Ingram made his way from being in the shadow of others to the Pelicans organization, it seemed to happen again. Drafting Zion Williamson seemed to dwarf anything Ingram could have done. Ingram came here with a fresh slate and time to improve without the pressure of winning right away, but still did not get the keys to his team until later. Later came, as time proved he was Cindefella all along, and the Pelicans may have finally found the glass sneaker he was longing for all along. That sneaker, none other than one CJ McCollum.

The Dynamic Duo.

        I want to start by saying the duo of Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum is very, very young and still working out the details as they have only played together for only 18 games (including the 4 playoff games) total since trading for CJ McCollum in early February. Even as young as the duo is, they currently lead the league as a scoring pair in the 2022 playoffs at 53.8 points per game combined. This is with names like Irving/Durant, Curry/Thompson, Tatum/Brown, Embiid/Harden, and Edwards/Towns all in the very same playoffs(Dončić and Brunson excluded since they have only played 1 game together, but combined in that one game they scored 53). Ingram is also tied at 4th with Brunson for PPG in the first 4 games of the playoffs, but Brunson was the main scoring option with Dončić missing the first 3 games. On top of their impressive scoring, Ingram and McCollum have combined for an average of 12 rebounds and 12 assist in their 18 games together. Is CJ Ingram’s glass sneaker, or did Cindefella get tired of being the redheaded step-child and decided to show the world who he really was?

The Big Three.

        I want to see Zion’s insane athleticism as much as the next person, but that isn’t what he adds as the third. He adds another 25 PPG and a second bounce that will eat up rebounds and force teams to never be able to double CJ or BI at the logo again. A lot of people have said “chemistry” when it comes to his return, but Zion like CJ and BI, is a baller first and a basketball player second. He does not need plays designed for him to score, he does not need a coach to tell him where to be. He is a blackhole for defenders and a matchup nightmare that will do whatever he wants against whoever he wants. Similar to how quickly CJ meshed with the team, and Nance Jr. found a role off the bench in a heartbeat, Zion will come out and ball no matter what. That alone should make the general population of the NBA concerned about how they match up with the Pelicans next year, or even in later rounds if the Pelicans can steal another game on the road against the Phoenix Suns. If you like stats, remember that Zion and Ingram were second in the league as a scoring tandem at 2,543 pts tailing only Tatum and Brown. Add CJ to that mix, it’s pure art.

The Supporting Cast.

        Every team that makes playoff runs is deep, not necessarily filled with star talent, but filled with guys who know where their bread has butter. This cannot be more true with the Pelicans this year. Just starting with the guy who will most likely slide to the bench when Zion returns, Jaxson Hayes. Jax will either be an enticing trade piece or an athletic 4 who can make guards work harder because of his size on the switch, and is nearly the exact opposite as a 4 coming off the bench for Zion. Then we still have Herb Jones (my DPOY), and Jonas Valančiūnas one of the best bigs you could ask for when he is a tad bit selfish. The starting lineup of CJ, BI, Jones, Zion, and JV nearly makes me water at the mouth because 4/5 of those guys can drop 25 any given night, and Herb will guard the best player for the opposition 1-4 and if he develops a consistent 3 point shot, yikes. As amazing as all of that sounds, we still have Jose Alvarado, Trey Murphy III, Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall, Devonte Graham, and Willy Hernangomez as depth guys who can all do something special any given night.

Let’s Dance at a Ball of Our Own.

        Starting 1-12, going on to sit at 3-16, this season is a success no matter what happens from here on out. If you aren’t excited now, or about what’s to come, you must be a Los Angeles fan because this is my favorite Pelican team, ever. The swagger, the attitude, the fight, and most of all the team. They have been fun to watch even in the lowest of lows. Every single one of the guys getting meaningful minutes since February has grown before our eyes and given me a reason to love them, all the way down to Coach Garrett Temple everyone knows their role and I am over the moon at where we are considering where we began.

We don’t need the national media or anyone else’s approval, because we are dancing whether they like it or not.