Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: 10 players facing make or break seasons in 2017-18

By Evan Dyal

NBA Miami Heat Justise Winslow (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NBA Miami Heat Justise Winslow (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 18: Victor Oladipo #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes up for a shot against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 18, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 18: Victor Oladipo #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes up for a shot against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 18, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana Pacers

At this point in his career we know Victor Oladipo is a solid player. He is entering his fifth season, but is on his third team in three years. Not what you want to see out of a player who was taken second overall. Oladipo is a player who is not a good enough shooter at the 2, and not a good enough passer at the 1. He is simply alright at both. In his last year in Orlando he averaged 16 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Solid numbers, but not spectacular. What was concerning was his efficiency at 43 percent from the field. That is why the Magic sent him to Oklahoma City for Serge Ibaka.

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In his one season in OKC, Oladipo showed some improvements. Including a career high 44 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent clip from 3-point range. Once again he posted solid numbers of 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists. On defense he showed potential as a stopper, but still struggles as a team defender at times. Dig deeper and you also saw a career high 53.4 true shooting percentage and a career low turnover rate.

Now in Indiana, he will be asked to do more. Oladipo is still only 25 and is one of the best athletes in the NBA. The question for him is, can he become a star, or will he just be a solid player? I think the move to Indiana can help him. No longer will he be an after thought to Westbrook on offense. Now he can run the offense and have the ball in his hands more.

His point guard tandem of Cory Joseph and Darren Collison are a good enough spot up shooters, that it should work. Also, Oladipo’s improved 3-point shooting numbers are encouraging. It will allow him to play more off the ball with those two as well. Oladipo is at his best when he is attacking and getting to the lane.

This year he will do that more, and draw more fouls, which is a good thing since he is a career 80 percent shooter from the line. This season won’t make or break Oladipo as an NBA player, but on whether not he can be the guy. I don’t think he will ever be a superstar, but I think he is capable of averaging 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, while playing solid defense. If he does that people will take notice, despite Indiana likely being awful this year.

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