Pacers Season Review: Life with and without Victor Oladipo
By Luke Parrish
Victor Oladipo is so close to being a superstar in the NBA, but injuries plagued his progress with the Indiana Pacers.
Victor Oladipo came into this season as the undisputed leader of the Indiana Pacers. His first month of the season was spectacular before he suffered an injury that sidelined him for 11 games. Oladipo then returned to the lineup for 20 games before he suffered the season-ending quad injury. Pacers fans feel robbed of a chance of great success, and rightfully so.
This is no fault of Oladipo’s or anyone else. An unfortunate injury in late January changed the landscape of the season for Indiana. While it opened the door for other players to step up, it’s never easy to lose the best player on a playoff team. Especially when that player is the only bonafide star on the roster.
Oladipo is entering the prime of his career as he just turned 27 this week. His time in Indiana has seen him develop into a star-caliber player and leader. The city of Indianapolis loves Vic, and the love is returned. It seems like forever since Pacers fans had a true star that wanted to be in Indiana. That’s why the 2018-19 season is so difficult to deal with. It is always a struggle to handle an injury, but even more so when it happens to such a great person on and off the court.
It was no secret that Vic was a stud when healthy last season. He was named an all-star reserve right after his injury. The Pacers were a whole different team with Vic in the lineup (see later). Now, the young Pacers team is left to wonder what could have been instead of understanding the feeling of a playoff win. They have to find their identity all over again.
So, what exactly do we make of Vic’s season? Are there any positives to take away? His season can best be observed in two parts: the two stints that he was healthy.