The Indiana Pacers have looked sharp in preseason action, but the national media does not expect that trend to continue into the regular season. Indiana went through a major offseason of change after having to trade superstar forward Paul George. Many thought he would stay in Indiana, but George quickly informed the Pacers that he did not plan to re-sign with the team in free agency following the 2017-18 NBA season.
Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis were acquired by the Pacers in the George trade. It was a return that many didn’t think was enough, but general manager Kevin Pritchard believes that the two young pieces will be major keys for them moving forward.
Obviously, Oladipo is the biggest name that the Pacers brought in this offseason. He is a former No. 2 overall draft pick and has been searching for a larger role over the past couple of years. That won’t be a problem in Indiana, as Oladipo will immediately be asked to shoulder a large portion of the offensive workload.
Last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Oladipo ended up averaging 15.9 points per game to go along with 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He shot 44.2 percent from the floor overall and connected on a career-high 36.1 percent of his three-point attempts.
Needless to say, the Pacers are hoping that Oladipo can show even more of his offensive potential this season.
All of that being said, what three goals should be set for Victor Oladipo heading into the 2017-18 season?
Raise Scoring Average to at Least 20
Oladipo will be asked to be the lead scorer for the back-court in Indiana. He has shown scoring potential in the past, but averaging at least 20 per game should be his goal. Indiana is hoping to make the playoffs and having Oladipo score 20 points per game would help them get there in a big way.
Improve as a Playmaker
Indiana will need Oladipo to improve as a playmaker for his teammates as well. He is lightning quick and has the ability to get in the paint whenever he wants. That will allow him to find open teammates, which is a major key for the Pacers this season.
Become an Elite Perimeter Defender
There is no denying the quickness and athleticism that Oladipo possesses. He has the tools to become an elite perimeter defender, which is what the Pacers need after losing on in George. Oladipo has embraced the role of defending opposing teams’ top perimeter scorer and it will be interesting to see how he develops on that end of the court this season.
What kind of season are you expecting from Victor Oladipo in 2017-18? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!