Kevin Durant, Twitter reacts to Brandon Ingram’s red-hot first half
Even Kevin Durant had something to say about Brandon Ingram’s hot start.
NBA basketball is finally back, but for all the excitement over Zion Williamson suiting up for the first game of the league’s restart in Orlando, it was Brandon Ingram who was in his bag for the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half.
Zion got the scoring started for the Pelicans, chipping in their first five points, but with the rookie phenom being limited to short bursts of minutes, Ingram made sure to remind the good people watching at home who’s led this team all season long.
Finishing the first half with 15 points and six rebounds in just 17 minutes, Ingram was a walking heat check for the Pels, shooting 6-for-11 from the floor and 2-for-4 from 3-point range.
Kevin Durant and NBA Twitter could help but marvel and Brandon Ingram’s hot start.
The Most Improved Player candidate was unstoppable off the dribble, getting the rim with ease and finishing with authority:
B.I. going to work 😤 pic.twitter.com/QdYiEAy9f5
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 30, 2020
His isolation game looked strong too, totally hoodwinking Royce O’Neale with a nasty ball fake and later finishing a tough jumper over two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert for the and-one.
This fake from Brandon Ingram was FILTHY pic.twitter.com/bg1gB5f6lb
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) July 30, 2020
Crossover, stepback, bucket, plus the foul!
— NBA (@NBA) July 30, 2020
15 for B.I. midway through the 2nd on @NBAonTNT. #WholeNewGame pic.twitter.com/I6Xay4GhFB
With a first half that smooth, it’s no wonder people were blown away by the first notable NBA performance we’ve had in four months. ESPN’s Mina Kimes had to give love for Ingram’s undeniable talent despite that skinny frame of his:
Brandon Ingram is the skinny arm representation we need 💪
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) July 30, 2020
In all seriousness, Ingram’s improvements this year have been impressive, especially with his handles:
Brandon Ingram's handle is looking even tighter and his jumper is looking smoother than it did four months ago. No surprise when he's gotten significantly better every single season of his career.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 30, 2020
Even Kevin Durant, a bona fide superstar that Ingram has often been compared to because of his thin physique, shooting ability and overall projected skill-set, was impressed by No. 14:
#14 is a different breed..
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 30, 2020
And, of course, any chance NBA Twitter has to take shots at the Utah Jazz, well, they’re going to take those shots faster than Brandon Ingram was in the first half:
Jazz trying to guard Brandon Ingram pic.twitter.com/KzjOy7HEMD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/Itamar1710/status/1288983087855140864?s=20
At the break, the Pelicans led the Jazz 60-48. Ingram had a game-high 15 points, while Jrue Holiday chipped in 12 and Zion added nine on 4-of-4 shooting.
Now that the NBA is back, hopefully we’re treated to red-hot performances like this all weekend long.
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