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Victor Oladipo wins NBA’s Most Improved Player Award

By Tony East

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers talks to the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers talks to the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Well, after waiting nearly two months since the last Pacers basketball game, it’s finally official. Victor Oladipo is the NBA’s Most Improved Player.

All that had to be done was dot some I’s and cross some T’s. It had been obvious for nearly the entire season that Victor Oladipo had improved more than any player in the league from last year to this year, but now it is official.

Victor Oladipo is your 2017-18 NBA Most Improved Player.

Oladipo deserved the award more than most recipients in recent memory. Beyond leading the Pacers way past expectations on their way to 48 wins, he improved basically all of his stats. His shooting percentages were better. He scored more points, grabbed more rebounds, and dished out more assists. His steals number led the league, and he made first-team All-Defense. He was simply incredible, and it was such a huge dearth over his ability last season that he was a clear choice for the award.

Oladipo becomes the fifth Pacer to win the award and the first since Paul George won the hardware in 2012-13.

Oladipo gave the Pacers organization tons of love in his victory speech:

“Shoutout to the Pacers organization for believing in me. And all of the Indiana Pacers: it’s only the beginning for us. We just getting started”

You can watch his whole speech here:

Between winning most improved player and making both and all-defense team and an all-star team, it was one heck of a season for Victor Oladipo. Making another jump like this one seems improbable, but now that he has a solid foundation as a star, the sky is the limit.

Next: Indiana Pacers decline Lance Stephenson’s team option

The Pacers organization has produced a league-leading five of the 32 all-time official Most Improved Player award winners. They have a great player development staff. With so many young guys on the roster, who knows if another Indiana Pacer can win the award or not next year. Behind Oladipo’s leadership, it is certainly possible. Congratulations, Victor Oladipo.

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