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Victor Oladipo isn’t feeling pressure to replace Paul George

By Ben Gibson

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 3: Victor Oladipo of Team Africa goes through a leadership clinic during the Basketball Without Borders Africa at the American International School of Johannesburg on August 3, 2017 in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 3: Victor Oladipo of Team Africa goes through a leadership clinic during the Basketball Without Borders Africa at the American International School of Johannesburg on August 3, 2017 in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Victor Oladipo says he doesn’t feel pressured to replace Paul George. Even if he is telling the truth, there are high expectations for him with the Indiana Pacers.

The transaction simply records Paul George was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. But no matter what is said or done, there was more than just players swapped in that trade.

In some capacity, Oladipo is expected to make up for the absence of the former franchise star. That’s simply what happens when a team trades away a star player like George. Oladipo was the biggest part of that trade from OKC’s side (as well as the more well paid), so he carries an expectation that Sabonis certainly doesn’t have to. The pressure is on Oladipo to perform this season with the Pacers.

But Oladipo says he doesn’t feel that way.

In a recent interview with the Crossover’s Deantae Prince, Oladipo said he expects to take a leadership role on the team, but doesn’t feel pressure to replace Paul George.

"DP: Saw that you overhauled your body this summer and told Hot97 you lost 20 pounds. Were you preparing for the new expectations you’ll face in Indiana?VO: Definitely, definitely. I’m preparing for my role as a leader, I’m preparing for my role on the team and I can’t wait to embrace that role.DP: You’re obviously coming into a situation where Paul George elevated the Pacers and made everyone better. Do you feel any pressure to take on some of that role?VO: Not really, I just plan to go out there and play with my teammates and do whatever it takes to win. There’s no added pressure, I’ll just go out there and do what I do."

Oladipo says that but does he really feel that way?

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According to the Indianapolis Star’s Jim Ayello, Oladipo also said recently he wants to be the point guy for everything. That sounds like what Paul George did in recent years. He was expected to take the point on defense and bail Indiana out of jams more often than not.

In a certain way, it doesn’t matter whether Oladipo feels the pressure on him, or if he is telling the truth. He isn’t Paul George and only a handful of players in the NBA can replace George on a roster. However, to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.

Oladipo is the Indiana Pacers’ highest paid player at $21 million a year, which is 22.28% of the team’s cap space according to Spotrac.com. Even if the money wasn’t a factor, we all know good and well that Oladipo bears the weight of replacing Paul George or at least is expected to fill in the gap partially. He was traded for Paul George, and that’s why so much grief is given to the Pacers for not getting more.

If he doesn’t have the best season of his career, then the pressure only increases.

Next: A look at the preseason rotations

That isn’t fair, but that’s what happens when you get traded for an All-Star caliber player.

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