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Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner can only get better taking part in the Team USA mini-camp

By Ben Gibson

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 25: Tobias Harris, Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner talk after a team meeting at USAB Minicamp in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Wynn Las Vegas on July 25, 2018. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 25: Tobias Harris, Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner talk after a team meeting at USAB Minicamp in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Wynn Las Vegas on July 25, 2018. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner are taking part in the Team USA mini-camp, something that should pay dividends for the Indiana Pacers.

Aside from the obvious worst-possible-but-possible outcome that may still haunt Indiana Pacers fans’ minds, there is little to no downside in Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner taking part in the Team USA mini-camp this week.

Oladipo and Turner will learn from and play against the best Americans in the NBA, and maybe even improve their own chemistry in the process.

Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports reported the duo were taking part earlier this week as some of the NBA’s top names, like LeBron James, elected to pass on the camp.

Oladipo’s selection to the team earlier this year was no surprise, but some might have been surprised by Turner’s selection.

We’ve seen in the past how Turner impressed even when he was ‘only’ on the USA Select team, blocking DeMarcus Cousins and hitting 3-pointers. It’s easy to overlook his impact on defense and the way he stretches the floor on offense.

Despite as much as we love Domantas Sabonis’ double-doubles as a starter, the metrics still favor Turner. That’s certainly not the end of the conversation, but a bit of perspective.

It is clear that Gregg Popovich isn’t overlooking that as he takes over for Mike Krzyzewski, who led the team for the past decade.

And if Oladipo is really going to turn into a mini-LeBron — whatever that means — he needs to prove it against his peers in Las Vegas. We’ll have to wait and hear if his transformation is paying dividends, but it’s worth keeping tabs on.

https://twitter.com/overtime/status/1022573056353624064

Hopefully, the two will get the chance to share the court and improve their chemistry when they return to the Pacers. Not that the two are on different pages, but refining and perfecting how they play under the watchful eye of coach Popovich offers a chance to improve themselves as a duo and as individuals.

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Here’s to hoping both take away something from the experience and can apply it with the Pacers this season.

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