Brandon Ingram is having a breakout year in his first season as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans and it might be time that he earns his own nickname like all of the other greats past and present. Often referred to simply as "B.I.," Ingram and some of his teammates, including Lonzo Ball, recently revealed to The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears that "Durag BI" is the new wave.
As Ingram explains, “I have heard people call me ‘Durag B.I.’ a couple of times during the games and during practice. It might be my signature thing. I don’t wear my hair out too much unless it’s game time.”
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Ingram, who earned All-Star honors for the first time this season, tells Spears that he has been rocking durags since he had braids when he was younger. Nowadays, Ingram says he typically brings about 20 different color options with him when the team travels to other cities.
“They’re just scattered all over the house. I own over a 100 or something. I don’t know how many,” Ingram said. “I just bring every color on the road. I’m not organized like that. I usually bring maybe 20 on the road.”
Although Ingram says he has over 100, Lonzo Ball estimates that the number is probably closer to 200. Says Ball, “He got to have about 200. He hasn’t worn the same one all season. … He probably has the most durags in the league. I am cool off competing with him. Whenever I do cut my hair down, I got about three rotations. He has in the 100s for sure.”
Adds veteran big man Derrick Favors:
“I don’t know where he gets them from. But he has a different durag on based on how he feels for the day it is. I’ve never seen him in the same durag. Not one time. It’s always a different durag designed differently.
“It is his thing. Some guys do shoes. Some guys do cars. Some guys do watches. His is durags.”
Whether it's some good luck durags, the New Orleans gumbo, or just good ole fashioned hard work in the gym - Ingram has found his stride with the Pelicans. The 22-year old forward is averaging career-high across the board with 24.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per night.
As a result of his stellar play, New Orleans has stayed within reach of the eighth seed in the Western Conference - although they need to make up four games over the final 21 contests. Up next for Durag BI and the Pels is a road game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, which will air on ESPN at 9:30 pm ET.
Lonzo Ball, Pelicans Go Crazy For “All Star” Brandon Ingram After Career-High: Video
"It's Brandon Ingram time now."
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is making a strong case for Most Improved Player this season, as his numbers are up across the board, most notably his 25.8 points per game. Ingram's per game averages received a boost during Thursday night's 138-132 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz, thanks to his career-high 49 points on 15-of-25 shooting, which included a series of clutch shots.
Immediately following Ingram's impressive performance, Lonzo Ball took to twitter to do some campaigning for Ingram to be named to the 2020 All Star Game.
"Yeah it’s right after the game and I know I never do this but BRANDON INGRAM is an All Star‼️‼️‼️‼️"
Teammates Josh Hart and Jrue Holiday, as well as the rest of the Pelicans co-signed the Ingram 2020 All Star movement.
In addition to his career-high 49 points, Ingram chipped in eight rebounds and six assists.
"He's been in the gym the last three years. The only thing that's slowed him down has been injuries," Ball said, per ESPN. "This is his fourth year, and he came into his own. It's Brandon Ingram time now.
"Since I've known him, he's been a confident person. But this year, he's been on another level. Obviously, he knows he's our go-to guy on this team and we trust him."
The Pelicans are sitting at 16-26 halfway through the season, which is just 3.5 games back of the eighth seed Memphis Grizzlies. Not only are they within striking range of a playoff spot, their No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson is finally set to make his NBA debut next week.
Brandon Ingram Incredulous Over Recent NBA Contract Extensions
Ingram wants to get paid.
Numerous players from the 2016 NBA Draft have been getting big paydays as of late and Brandon Ingram should be next up on the list. The second overall pick is currently on the New Orleans Pelicans and is hoping to test the market this summer when he becomes a free agent. There are some huge talents on the market and Ingram will be one of them. He’s having one of the best seasons of his career and has opted to not sign an extension. Regardless, he isn’t too impressed with those of his peers who are getting a lot of money.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Ingram spoke about his contract situation and how he’s a lot more deserving than some of the people making big money. In fact, Ingram joked about playing them one-on-one to prove his worth.
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“When we talked about the extension, of course, I’m human,” Ingram said ESPN’s Andrew Lopez. “When I look at other guys, I’m like, ‘This motherf***er got an extension? Oh my god. Man, we can lace up right now and play one-on-one to 15 and this motherf***er won’t score.’ That’s how I looked at it as a competitor.”
Do you think Ingram deserves a big payday and who would you like to see him sign with? Let us know in the comments below.
