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Love/Hate Series: Victor Oladipo

By Ben Gibson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers stretches before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers stretches before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS – JANUARY 30: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers works out before an all access practice at St. Vincent Center and Indiana Pacers Training Facility on January 30, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Victor Oladipo’s projected role this coming season

Victor Oladipo is still the mayor, and the Indiana Pacers will rely on him to carry them for another season. He was 28th in minutes played last season with a total of 2,519, but one can hope the Pacers can find ways to rest him thanks to an improved bench.

If he wants to take a shot at the MVP race, he’ll need to score more than the 23.1 points a game he scored last season. The improvement must come in small ways as his usage rate was one of the highest in the NBA. Giving him the ball more often isn’t the answer.

Despite all the leaps he made last season, there’s still room to refine his game.

Oladipo could stand to finish better at the rim despite the fact he’s an excellent driver. His percentages from around the floor are all above average, but according to Cleaning The Glass‘ statistics, only his corner 3-point shooting is at an elite level.

In the case being selected to the All-Defensive First Team wasn’t enough confirmation, Vic is an outstanding defender. There isn’t a ton of room for improvement there for him.

If the Pacers and Oladipo are to ascend to another level, there won’t be any huge jump this year, at least in their franchise player’s case. But if Oladipo can find tiny ways to get an edge, then we truly will see something special with him this season.

Next. Love/Hate Series: Tyreke Evans. dark

He’s no longer playing with house money. Indiana is no longer underdogs. It’s time for Victor Oladipo raise the stakes for him and the Pacers.

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