Despite a scrappy season that has seen them go on two 6+ game win streaks, the Indiana Pacers have lost some impactful games as of late. Going 3-3 in their last six games, they have taken double digit losses to the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76er’s. Indiana star, Victor Oladipo, puts their recent play on himself, and mentioned he needs to be more aggressive.
Scott Agnes of The Athletic provided some insight into Oladipo’s mindset about how he’s played since returning from injury.
“There’s nothing passive about me. I can’t not be aggressive the last five or six games and then expect everything to be fine when I be aggressive today. That’s not how flow works,” said Oladipo.
The NBA’s 2017-18 Most Improved Player has played 17 games following a 12-game absence due to injury. Oladipo has played well but has showed some hesitation in taking over in recent games, especially when compared to the start of the season, which saw him rattle off 13 straight games with 20 or more points. So far this season, he is averaging 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals.
Oladipo, who Pacers legend Reggie Miller considers the unquestioned leader of the team, will seek to be more assertive moving forward as Indiana looks to stay among the top ranks of the Eastern Conference. These games against other top East teams can be pivotal in determining playoff seeding or even tie breaking down the road, so it is important they get every win they can. Currently sitting in the third seed with a 29-15 record and only 3.5 games behind the top of the conference, things are still looking bright for this young Pacer team.
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