What Victor Oladipo’s Return could mean for the Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers finally have a date set for Victor Oladipo’s return: January 29. The timing gives Indiana plenty of time down the stretch to figure everything out.

Yesterday, Victor Oladipo told Shams Charania of Stadium he plans to make his season debut in the Indiana Pacers’ home game against the Chicago Bulls on January 29. The announcement finally gave Pacers fans a date to latch onto.

Getting Oladipo back before the All-Star break gives the team more time to get gelled before playoff time. The January 29 match-up will be the Pacers’ 48th game of the season. If the Pacers continue their current pace, they should be 29-18 at that point or a projected 51-win team over the course of a full season.

Last season, the Philadelphia 76ers won 51 games and claimed the 3rd seed in the East. It seems unlikely that 51 wins will garner a top-3 seed this season, as that same total would expect to get the 5th seed this year. With a fully healthy team, should be expected to win more than 21 of their final 34 outings. There are few teams poised for a second half run like Indiana.

Twelve months off is a long time. Oladipo will spend the first few weeks playing through the rust as he sees how his body handles real NBA action. He has been making some stops with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants the last few weeks, but the jump from playing Alize Johnson and Brian Bowen II to Zach LaVine and Otto Porter Jr. will be drastic.

That being said, Oladipo was an All-Star for a reason. His work ethic dates back to his time at Indiana University where he entered the program a three star recruit and left as the number two pick in the NBA draft. There is little doubt he has done everything he has needed to in order to return 100 percent.

Returning to the floor Oladipo will give the Pacers a two-way force. His offense would give Indiana a boost in a few spots they have lagged behind in this season. Since joining the Pacers, he has averaged 5.9 3-point attempts and 4.6 free thrown attempts per game. Both would lead this year’s roster.

Don’t forget about his clutch gene either. His backcourt mate Malcolm Brogdon has shown the ability to make late plays this season, but having multiple late options will make the Pacers much harder to defend. Throw in T.J. Warren, the certified bucket-getter, and there are few teams with enough quality defenders to match-up with Indiana.

While his offense is what you will see on SportsCenter, Oladipo’s return will also change the Pacers’ defense. Currently sitting number 10 in defensive rating, the Pacers have slowing fallen from the five spot over the last month. The former Hoosier was a steals champion and first team All-Defensive member two seasons ago so he has the ability to fill several of the holes the Pacers may have developed.

That same season, Vic finished 24th in win shares, smack dab between Kemba Walker and Rudy Gobert. Both are instrumental to top-5 teams in their respective conferences. Neither team would likely hold their current position with their stars.

The Pacers on the other hand have showed strong resolve through 38 games (just mark last night’s game against the Heat as a fluke). They just need to continue to do what they’ve been doing. Finding success through balance.

The end is within sight.

Twenty.

More.

Days.