Orlando Magic Player Profile: Victor Oladipo

Player: Victor Oladipo
Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Experience: 1 yr
College: Indiana

Apr 9, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2013 Snapshot

The second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Victor Oladipo offered Orlando a prolific backcourt player. Coming out of Indiana, Oladipo was considered a jack of all trades wing. He had the slashing ability of a classic wing, but his jumper looked to improve as well. His defense was his calling card, locking down numerous Big Ten wings, en route to his Big Ten Defensive Player of The Year award in his final season. In his first season with Orlando, Oladipo moves to the point guard position and had up and down results. The Magic hope that with another year of play, Oladipo can continue to improve his game, whether it be at the point guard or shooting guard position.

2013-2014 Season averages

PPG: 13.8
RPG: 4.1
APG: 4.1
TS%: 51.4%
PER: 13.6

Strengths

Another aspect of his game that translated well: defense. Being six-foot-four allows some people to finish over him, but as a rookie, Oladipo impressed me with his bulldog mentality on defense, challenging opposing wings on the perimeter, and finishing with 1.6 steals per game. I’m curious to see him improve as an overall defender (off-the-ball, allowing cuts, etc), but he has a defensive motor, which is a great start.

Weaknesses

Oladipo isn’t a great shooter. Last season, Oladipo took just 25 corner threes last season and made eight of them. Above the break, he was more effective, shooting 33% on close to 200 attempts. The more alarming number is his field goal percentage at the rim. Oladipo shot just 53% at the rim last season, which isn’t great for a wing who can’t shoot. With an offseason under his belt, the biggest hope is that he can become a better shooter from the corner, as well as a better scorer around the rim.

Oladipo isn’t a point guard either. He ran the position well, and even finished with numbers similar to Russell Westbrook in his rookie season, but the Magic finished 30th in offensive efficiency last season. The Magic got better offensive weapons last season, and with Elfrid Payton still learning the NBA ins-and-outs, Oladipo will have another chance at point guard. However, his best position will be the shooting guard position.

Oladipo’s Role With The Magic

Oladipo’s role is everything. He’s expected to take a leap from a good rookie to a great player. The sum of his game are there, can he become one of the better players in the league? With a jumpshot, Oladipo could become a better version of Tony Allen, which is something Orlando could use. This season specifically, Oladipo will be the offensive leader and hopefully the developmental piece for this Magic team.

Oladipo’s Importance To The Team

Oladipo is the most important member to this team. No one has a ceiling larger than his, but also, no one has the job he has either. Eventually, Oladipo is going to move over to the shooting guard position, but right now, he has to man the point guard position and run the team. With a sprained MCL sidelining him now, Oladipo’s injury will cost Orlando to lose a couple more games. When he returns? The Magic will be expecting the leap next season from him, making him the most important player on the team.

Overall

This is Oladipo’s second season and he’s already starting off with a sprained MCL. Once he recovers, I expect Oladipo to become a better offensive player with an improved jump shot. His defense should continue to improve from good to great, and should finally claim the title of “Best Player” on the Orlando Magic.