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Victor Oladipo is setting a new pace for the Indiana Pacers

By Connor Murphy

BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 17: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on December 17, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 17: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on December 17, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Victor Oladipo, the Indiana Pacers’ unlikely star, has been stacking the stat sheets and propelling his new teammates to wins.

There seems to be a new, unlikely hero in the state of Indiana. He comes from the Oklahoma City Thunder and his name is not Thor, it’s … Victor Oladipo.

You heard right, Victor Oladipo has rekindled the fire for this hopeful Pacers squad. In the dark days before Oladipo descended upon Indiana, the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Pacers last season in the first round of the playoffs after a long and hard-fought season.

After a tough blow like that, could you blame Paul George for wanting to leave Indiana?

No George, No Problem

Actually yes, we can, and we should have never trusted a man with two first names in the first place (sorry to everyone with two first names). Despite having a decent showing in the four-game series versus Cleveland, George just couldn’t make it happen — not even for one game. But we’re not here to talk about George or the past, we are here to look to the future.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Since joining Indiana, Oladipo has averaged 24.9 PPG, 3.9 APG and 5.5 RPG. Quite impressive. And what’s even more impressive is that so far within the month of December, he has been averaging a whopping 29.7 PPG, easily leading Indiana in scoring. To break down those stats, even more, Oladipo has been shooting approximately 42 percent in three-pointers and 48 percent in field goals — career highs for the 25-year-old. He’s also been able to finish at the rim more often, while defenders create a screen which creates an open lane for him.

For years the Pacers tended to move down the court slowly, taking their time. Oladipo has given Indiana the necessities to push down on the opponent at a quick pace, moving the ball and scoring.

Despite what Oladipo is doing on offense, we can’t fail to recognize his defensive and passing presence. Victor has proven himself to be an excellent passer while also being able to play defense (which most superstars tend not to do). His aggressiveness and ability to get in the offense’s face allow him to get one to two steals per game, along with a handful of rebounds.

Activating Beast-Mode, or Oladipo-Mode?

No one could have predicted that Oladipo was going to take a page out of Marshawn Lynch’s book and go “beast-mode.” If Oklahoma City did know that, they would have never let him go. Looking at things from a record perspective, Indiana is also seemingly doing better than the Thunder at this point in the season as well. Yes, yes, “the West is much harder than the East,” we’ve all heard that line for a while now. However, the Thunder have been losing to teams such as the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic.

Next: Power Forward Thursdays: T.J. Leaf is killing the G-League

Records aside, trades aside, and whatever else; Oladipo’s arrival was unexpected. But his contribution to the team was even more surprising.

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