Fansided

There will be no offseason for Victor Oladipo

By Brad Berreman

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 29: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers battles for the ball with Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 29, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 105-101 to win there series. 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)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 29: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers battles for the ball with Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 29, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 105-101 to win there series. 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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Victor Oladipo could have taken a little time to reflect after Sunday’s Game 7 loss, but that’s not on his agenda.

With last offseason’s trade of Paul George to the Thunder, the Pacers were not expected to make the playoffs this year. But led by a breakout season from Victor Oladipo, one of the players acquired for George, the Pacers won 48 games and took the Cavaliers to a Game 7 in a first-round playoff series before falling just short.

Oladipo had 30 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in Sunday’s loss and was one of the stars of the series, averaging 22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.4 steals per contest. Following the game, he pointed to the Pacers having earned everyone’s respect after taking LeBron James to the brink of a first-round playoff exit.

“If y’all don’t respect the Indiana Pacers now, I have no respect for you,” Oladipo said.

It would be fine for Oladipo and his teammates to take some time to reflect on a successful season, while also looking ahead to the future. But Oladipo clearly doesn’t want to rest on any sort of laurels.

https://twitter.com/SBNation/status/990689920598458368

Right after the game ended Sunday, Oladipo texted his trainer “When do we start? I’m ready to take it to another level.” And when asked about taking time off to “enjoy your life” during his post game press conference, Oladipo responded with “this is my life.” Oladipo’s adapted training regimen was one of the keys to his huge season.

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Oladipo’s emergence this season (23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game) almost felt overdue — the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft has already been traded twice, after struggling to hit his ceiling with the Magic and the Thunder, respectively. But the third team looks like the charm for Oladipo, and the Pacers have found a worthy leader.

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