While many questioned the return package the Indiana Pacers received for Paul George, president Kevin Pritchard saw an opportunity to bring one of the league's brightest prospects in hometown guard Victor Oladipo.
The former Hoosier was drafted with the second overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2013 NBA Draft, playing three seasons for the team before getting traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the aftermath of Kevin Durant's departure.
After a season-long stint in OKC, he was traded along with Domantas Sabonis for George, surprising many with his leadership and play on the court through seven games this season.
“This is my city,” he said Sunday, after raining down a game-winning three against the San Antonio Spurs “My city.”
Oladipo has gotten off to a fascinating start to his season, now averaging 23.9 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game — all mostly in the absence of Myles Turner.
Yet many think he's bound to fall back to Earth after Turner makes his impending return from a concussion. Head coach Nate McMillan is not one of them.
“No, I think this can be Victor. He has the potential I think to be one of the top players (in the league),” McMillan told Gregg Doyel of The Indianapolis Star.
“This is Vic,” said Sabonis, who will now go into his second season playing alongside the Nigerian-born guard. “I knew that when I got traded with him. He just needed a team where he’s feeling comfortable in his role.”
McMillan has not only been impressed with Oladipo's scoring prowess to start the season, but his raw speed on the court.
“We thought he was fast,” McMillan said. “But no, I didn’t see him (being this fast). There’s a few guys in the league that have the speed he has.”
To make matters more familiar, the name Jeff Teague is brought up, as he was the team's former point guard.
“Yeah – Teague,” McMillan said, before making an even grander statement. “And I would say (John) Wall.”
Oladipo will have to make adjustments once Turner comes back, but his sheer efficiency on the court is something that must remain for this Pacers team to make the right strides. The 25-year-old shooting guard is shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 45.7 percent from deep, and an infallible 87.8 percent from the stripe.
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