Victor Oladipo embraces role, succeeds off bench
Victor Oladipo had some soul searching to do after the decision to start him off the bench Wednesday. Instead he thrived and found success in the team’s win
100. 38. 91. 27. Final
Victor Oladipo had to do some soul searching Tuesday night entering Wednesday’s game.
His ego was undoubtedly hurt as Scott Skiles had to make the decision to push him to the bench for now to clean up some issues with the Orlando Magic’s starting unit. Skiles said it sucks. He has talked about his defensive play and energy all season. He has embodied many of the things he wants from his team.
Yet, the way things worked out and the decision Skiles made, Oladipo had to come off the bench. And some of the reason why is how he might react.
There was probably some disappointment. It did not show.
“Truthfully, Victor was the spark for us, and without him and that effort, we wouldn’t have won the game,” Tobias Harris said. “I was proud with the way he handled it. Vic is a starter. But, at the same time, he came off the bench and accepted that role. We look for Vic as one of the best players on our team. It’s not about coming off the bench, it’s about accepting what you have at task for the greater goal of the team. it says a lot about him as a person and I’m super proud of him.”
From the moment Victor Oladipo checked into Wednesday’s game against the New York Knicks, the tenor of the game changed. Oladipo was not going to pout, he was not going to be upset. He was going to play as hard as he had ever played.
On his first defensive possession, he dove on the floor to try to save a loose ball that went out of bounds. The momentum the starters brought was going to get amplified and the Magic would take the lead.
Oladipo ended up scoring 24 points on 5-for-15 shooting and 13-for-15 shooting from the foul line (shooting 62.5 percent of the total free throws he had taken to that point in the season).
The bounce in his step seemed to return. When he caught the ball there was a drive and determination to get to the basket. The change of pace that made everyone seem to believe his star turn was coming had come back. Oladipo looked like the player the Magic had put so much faith in again.
“A lot of it was just getting back to realizing who I am,” Oladipo said. “Just realizing that when I do that, we have a great chance at winning.”
The 24 hours before the game was certainly a time for some soul searching for Oladipo. Losing a starter’s spot, even if it is temporary, had to be a shake in confidence.
Considering the difficulties Oladipo has had at scoring in general, seeing this confidence return was refreshing.
Oladipo said he played with a chip on his shoulder and he was immediately in attack mode. What that chip was, he would not quite say. He noted the last 24 hours made him learn a lot about himself. He was more focused on shutting out outside noise focus on himself.
His response was necessary for the Magic to defeat the Knicks.
“It had to be tough for him to know that he had to come off the bench,” Nikola Vucevic said. “It’s not an easy adjustment when you have started for so long. Everybody wants to be starting in this league. He definitely has the quality to start.
“Coach decided to make an adjustment and he accepted it for the better of the team. He stayed positive and really had a great game. It shows a lot about him. It shows that he is unselfish, that he cares about his team. I respect that about him. A lot of guys would have come out like, ‘Screw this, I want to be starting.’ He didn’t do that. It shows a lot about a guy.”
Oladipo made it clear he can still contribute to the team. He played 26:11, far below his average of 32.3 minutes per game. As the Magic settle in with this new rotation, Oladipo’s role will become much more defined and he should see his minutes increase.
Skiles ended the game with Oladipo with Evan Fournier playing the rare off game — 1-for-9 shooting in the game.
As long as the Magic are winning, it appears Oladipo is on board. And he will do everything in his power to make sure the team keeps winning.
“It’s about wininng. Plain and simple, it’s about winning,” Oladipo said. “Honestly I don’t care [about coming of the bench]. Whatever he needs me to do, to help this team win, that’s what I’m going to do.”
On this night, Oladipo found himself again. For one night, at least, the Magic’s rotation tweaks worked.