Sir Charles in Charge
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Bouncing back: Best redemption stories from the NBA’s first quarter

By Jacob Doole

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 03: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates a 105-96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on November 3, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 03: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates a 105-96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on November 3, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 18: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 18, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 18: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 18, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers

After three seasons in Orlando showing flashes of potential, Oladipo moved into one of the most undesirable roles in the NBA last season.

He was traded to the Thunder on draft night in 2016. Once Kevin Durant defected to Golden State, that meant being part of the Russell Westbrook sideshow.

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For most of the season, it was treated more like a freak show. The “Russ has no help” argument gained more steam with every triple-double, and guys like Oladipo bore the brunt of a lot of unfounded criticism.

In reality, Oladipo shot then-career-highs from the field (44.2%) and from three (36.1%). But his career-low usage rate of 21.4 brought his raw numbers down and gave casual fans some ammunition to use against him.

And when he and Domantas Sabonis were traded to Indiana for Paul George, the criticism of the trade was relentless. In Bleacher Report’s excellent feature, Oladipo said of the talk:

"“Of course it bothers me. But people’s opinions, they are what they are. I can’t control that. All I can control is how hard I work.”"

This season, Oladipo has taken that mindset, and that hard work, and turned it into All-Star level play. His scoring has made a huge jump, from 15.9 points per game last season to 22.8 this season.

Most impressively, he’s managed to increase his efficiency while taking on a much larger role. His usage rate of 30.4 is 12th in the league among those that have played at least five games, and is comfortably the highest mark of his career.

Despite this, his Player Efficiency Rating (21.8) and effective field goal percentage (53.7) are both career highs. It’s rare for a player to make such a leap in both usage and efficiency, but Oladipo appears to be thriving under the pressure.

Must Read: New York Knicks: 5 questions at the season’s quarter mark

With the Pacers surprisingly competitive at 12-10 despite Myles Turner missing five games, Oladipo deserves serious consideration for an All-Star spot.

He also deserves an apology from every fan who said Russ had no help last season, but it’s unlikely he’d accept it anyway.

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