Oladipo spins his way to the hoop for the authoritative slam
If the Indiana Pacers don’t have their starting shooting guard Victor Oladipo representing the Eastern Conference in the All-Star game this season, then someone has some answering to do. The man has done what few players have ever achieved and turned himself from an accessory on a middling team into a full fledged star on an overachieving roster.
Few if any people gave the Indiana Pacers a fighting chance to compete in the weaker Eastern Conference after they traded away beloved superstar Paul George for Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The trade was immediately labeled as one of the worst in recent memory, but oh how things have changed since that fateful day on July 6, 2017.
Not only has Victor Oladipo outplayed any exceptions set for him before the season, he’s outplayed the very player he was traded for this offseason. No, really.
Okay, so considering George and Oladipo play two very different roles on two very different teams, maybe that last statement was a bit circumstantial. However, here is something that is undeniably proven by statistics and game tape. Oladipo is putting to shame any individual season that Paul George ever had in Indy.
The former Hoosier is scoring more points per game than George ever did, and in every other category besides rebounding, he’s either matching or trailing George’s career highs by marginal numbers. Statistics aside, Oladipo’s impact as a leader and example for his teammates far outreaches any impressions George made on his former Pacers running mates.
Despite taking a few trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, George never really established himself as a vocal leader. Oladipo never really had the chance in Orlando or Oklahoma City to establish his presence, but he’s made himself the most respected player on a roster that’s had little time to adjust.
He’s made winning games possible and life easier for teammates, just ask Miles Turner. You may have forgotten the hype that surrounded Turner this summer, but NBA scouts everywhere projected this year as a breakout campaign for the third year center.
Well, though you might not have noticed, his name hasn’t exactly blown up the tabloids. In fact, by almost every measure, the spindly center is underachieving. His numbers are down in nearly every statistical category and his health has been somewhat of an issue throughout the season.
Here’s the one reason you haven’t seen Turner take much flak for his disappointing season thus far. Victory Oladipo. I’ve said plenty of times and I’ll say it as long as it takes to get him into the game, Victor Oladipo is an All-Star and anyone who says otherwise hasn’t watched the man play.
If we can’t get him into the All-Star Game, let’s at least acknowledge that he deserves to be in attendance during this festivities of All-Star weekend. To be honest, with dunks like the one shown above, would it be that bad to try and get him back into the Dunk Contest three years after his last appearance?
Maybe, but you get what I’m saying. The guy deserves some credit, and one way or another he’ll find his way into the prestigious midseason classic. It may not be this year, but mark my words, once he makes the roster, it won’t be a one time deal for the two-way star.
