Is the Victor Oladipo trade rumor saga finally over?
As we head into the NBA regular season tonight, the last five or so months in Oladipo-world have been perplexing. Indiana Pacers fans already went through something similar with Paul George.
And at the end of the day, all Blue and Gold nation truly wants is for the players to fully have a sense of commitment to playing in the 317. After everything that happened with “The Bubble”, the trade talk, and injuries, it seems like Oladipo is ready to lock in.
That’s what Pacers General Manager Chad Buchanan talked about on The Fan Morning Show Tuesday. Buchanan told Jeff Rickard and Big Joe that the team’s relationship with Vic is very different than what the national talk shows have described.
“The media and what’s read out there seems to portray it one way but internally it’s the same it has been since day one,” Buchanan said. “Victor has gone through a tough stretch with the injury and he’s still finding his way back. The more you’re around him, the better you feel about the team. And that’s just his personality and we’re going to be here to support him. He’s a big X-factor for us this season.”
Indiana lost each of their preseason games with two in Cleveland and the last at home versus Philly. But without T.J. Warren and Myles Turner available for most of that stretch, the cause for concern is miniscule. Buchanan told the guys that both Warren and Turner are back to full practice and could play Wednesday in the club’s opener at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against the New York Knicks.
As always, you can catch the radio call on 93.5 and 107.5 The Fan as the Pacers begin a key season with new coach Nate Bjorkgren at the helm.
The Blue and Gold have won 40-plus games in each of the last five seasons. Buchanan said that’s a great accomplishment, but this year’s team will be evaluated most on what they can do come April and May.
“We’ve had such great regular season runs but disappointing playoff showings so that’s a priority for us,” Buchanan added. “It’s a big philosophy of Coach Bjorkgren as he wants the team to build as the season goes on. We’re going to judge this team based on how we’re playing late in the season. If we can have 90-percent of what Victor Oladipo was a couple years ago, we have a chance to have a really special year.”
Bjorkgren is going to get a very early taste of what’s to come in the Eastern Conference for 2021. Going up against three high profile coaches in New York’s Tom Thibodeau, Chicago’s Billy Donovan, and Boston’s Brad Stevens will be a solid test for the new Pacers head man.
Tune into The Fan Morning Show weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
