Victor Oladipo spent one season playing alongside Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City. It appears he took some inspiration from the reigning MVP.
Victor Oladipo was traded to the Indiana Pacers in what was deemed to be one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history. However, the 25-year-old has exceeded expectations and has the Pacers in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference 30 games into the season.
From the moment he stepped foot in Indiana, Oladipo had big shoes to fill. He was brought in to replace Paul George, a perennial all-star who led the Pacers to two Eastern Conference Finals.
In his first season with his new team, Oladipo has shattered expectations. He is averaging a career-high 24.4 points per game on 47.8 percent shooting from the field and has quickly emerged a leader for this Pacers team.
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Oladipo credited some of his success to former his former teammate, Russell Westbrook. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Oladipo took inspiration from the reigning MVP: (Transcribed by the Indy Star’s Joseph Spears)
"“One thing I learned from him (Russ) is he’s on 110 every day. The thing about me is that he’s on 110, I’m trying to get to 115. That’s something he kinda instilled in me without doing anything. Just being himself and that’s how I am here.”"
During his one season with Oklahoma City, Oladipo found what it means to play meaningful basketball. It was the first time in his career he played for a winning ball club. He was introduced to playoff basketball.
In five playoff games, Oladipo averaged 10.8 points per game on 34.4 percent shooting from the field. These numbers were a step down from his regular season averages of 15.9 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting.
Despite a lackluster playoff showing, Oladpio learned what it takes to be a successful NBA player from Westbrook, and he worked all summer to improve his game.
"“He’s (Westbrook) a future hall of famer no question, and in order to get that, I’m going to have to put in the work and put in another level that I’ve never worked before. That’s what I did this summer and it’s paying off for me.”"
His work during the summer that he referenced has put him in position to be an all-star for the first time in his five year career. On top of this, he is the race to become the 2017-18 Most Improved Player.
This seems to be the beginning of the Victor Oladipo era in Indiana. The shooting guard told Wojnarowski that he is chasing to be number one. “Before I go to sleep, every time I wake up, all I think about is chasing No. 1. Whoever No. 1 is, team, player, that’s who I’m chasing and I gotta work hard every day to get there,” said Victor.
All of these comments are music to Pacers fans ears. Oladipo is a young star who learned from one of the best point guards in the association. He seems to only be getting better.
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As he gets more experience under his belt, Oladipo could quickly force his way into the MVP discussion within the next couple years.