The Houston Rockets were able to acquire Victor Oladipo in the blockbuster four-team trade that involved the Indiana Pacers. Upon being traded to the Rockets, Oladipo didn't waste any time in getting acclimated to his new team's system, per The Athletic's Alykhan Bijani.
Rafael Stone on Victor Oladipo: "First thing he did was ask for video so he could independently study our offense and defense so that he's up to speed…The background that we have on him is that he's exactly the type of person that we like in this organization." #Rockets
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 17, 2021
Rafael Stone, the new general manager of the Rockets, said that Oladipo requested video of Houston's offensive and defensive systems so he could get caught up. The gesture by Oladipo showed Stone exactly why the Rockets made the move for Oladipo after trading Harden away.
After a season-ending leg injury that limited him to 19 games, Oladipo — as the Rockets know — has gotten off to a fast start this season. In the first nine games with the Pacers, Oladipo has averaged 20 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while playing 33.3 minutes per game.
His 20 points per game are the most he's had since his All-Star year with the Pacers in 2017-2018 when he recorded 23.1 points per game. The University of Indiana product is also shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from outside the arc to begin the 2020-2021 season. The Rockets hope they are getting this version of Oladipo.
While Oladipo continues to get his confidence back following a serious injury, there's no doubt that he's always going to give it his all with the Rockets. The veteran shooting guard worked tirelessly to give himself a chance to return from injury and is playing at a high level once again.
The Rockets didn't waste much time to send Caris LeVert — who they originally got for Harden — for Oladipo earlier this week.
Oladipo's first course of action after joining Houston left a lasting impression on Stone and the Rockets. We'll see what the next big imprint turns out to be for a terrifically gifted player who gets a chance to rebuild his career in the Western Conference.
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