Victor Oladipo started to make his star turn in his second year as a pro, previewing the potential for 2016.
Victor Oladipo had some unfinished business in his second year in the NBA.
Even though many viewed Oladipo as Rookie of the Year in 2014, he was left without the award. But plenty of promise.
The Magic put a lot of faith in the second overall pick in his second season. They cleared the runway for him, trading away veterans Arron Afflalo and Victor Oladipo. In so many words, the team turned things over to him and the rest of the young players. Part of turning the corner was about seeing what the young guys could do.
That part may not have worked out as well as the Magic had imagined. But Oladipo continued to grow into the role as the season went on. His development as the season progressed was extremely encouraging. It might have been the biggest storyline from the season.
As the season came to its close, Oladipo really found his stride.
He was scoring more consistently, dropping in 30-point games in back-to-back appearances and beginning to look like a star in the making. Confidence was flowing through this young star and the hope is that he can make the leap into true stardom.
That is the hope at least.
Oladipo still has to find consistency as any young player does. But the signs were there. He continues to be a hard-working defender and player determined to be great. He showed more signs of truly becoming that player in 2015.
And that bodes well as the Magic begin focusing truly on winning.
Next: The Good and The Bad
The Good and The Bad
| Season | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 72 | 35.7 | .436 | .339 | .474 | .819 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 17.9 |
| Career | 152 | 33.3 | .428 | .333 | .467 | .799 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 15.8 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/31/2015.
Victor Oladipo had several defined weaknesses when he came into the league.
His jump shot was late developing and it was not quite NBA ready when he stepped on a NBA floor. Oladipo would be playing off of raw athleticism and sheer determination, something he was good at using to his advantage.
In his second year, he needed to bring a little more refinement and development. The path was not easy.
He still was not shooting a great percentage — 43.6 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc. He struggled getting to the foul line on his sometimes still-wild drives — 4.4 free throw attempts per game and 41.8 percent field goal percentage and 10.6 team points per game on 9.2 drives per game, according to NBA.com.
The numbers took small steps forward from his rookie season, yet it still felt like Oladipo took a much bigger leap forward as a sophomore. The confidence and bravado necessary to become a bigger-name player. Oladipo’s time appeared to be coming.
It really took hold in the middle of the season as he continued to find his rhythm. The back-to-back 30-point games Oladipo put up in January and March showed what he could be when he gets consistency and plays with confidence. He has the potential to be a great player. It is just about getting the consistency to do it every night against top defenses.
Oladipo may never be a superstar. But he can certainly get to the edge of All-Star consideration. Throughout the year, he had shoulder a heavy burden while still learning how to be the key player on a NBA team. It is not an easy thing to do.
No one is sure if Oladipo can make that turn. What was important about his 2015 season was that he showed he has the potential to do so.
Next: Best Game of 2015
Best Game of 2015
March 6: Magic vs. Kings
32 pts., 14/24 FGs, 10 assts., 5 stls.
Victor Oladipo had his highest scoring game of the season in the previous outing against Phoenix. His 38 points were not enough however for the Magic to get a win. It hit him hard even after the game. He was not about to revel in individual accomplishments.
The Magic’s next game gave him that opportunity however. And he flourished.
Like he had in January with his back-to-back 30-point games against the Bulls and Rockets, Oladipo was just starting to prove himself and his place in the league. This game seemed to be his opus. It seemed to be his statement that games like this could become more commonplace. The star turn was within reach.
Against Sacramento, Oladipo took only two free throws. It was the only negative you could find from him in that game. He was efficient from the floor — making 10 of 15 shots around the rim — and was active getting others involved. He also made 9 of his 17 contested field goals in the game. That number will have to continue to be high for Oladipo to take the next step in his career.
Steals can be a double-edged sword, but when a player gets a lot of them it does tend to show a player is being active on defense. Oladipo had the kind of all-around game the Magic dreamed he would have on a more consistent basis.
Games like this are not going to be normal. Oladipo is not like Tracy McGrady, likely to go off for 30 or 40 points on any given night.
The fact the Magic saw he could do this and follow up a big game with another one (for a second time) continued to persuade fans and the team he could be a star in the making.
That is all anyone wanted to see.
Next: 2016 Outlook
2016 Outlook
No player on the Magic’s roster likely has the same kind of expectations for improvement or the need to take the next step in his career than Victor Oladipo.
In all likelihood, Oladipo will be expected to make a major leap into stardom next season.
That does not necessarily mean he needs to make the All-Star team for his season to be successful, but it sure would be nice if he got some notice and consideration for the honor.
Oladipo upped his average to 17.9 points per game, showing his growing and improving ability to score. That was supposed to be the natural progression for a young player in his second season. Certainly with the expectations that come with being the second overall pick too.
For the Magic to accomplish their goal and begin turning the corner — something that was supposed to happen in 2015 — Oladipo has to take that next step to consistently be the team’s star. He has to be the guy.
It will not be easy to make this leap. But when it comes, it comes suddenly and it is glorious.
Orlando has put a lot of hope in its Draft picks. Rob Hennigan did not hide from the fact he was building the team through the Draft and there might be some pain to get that final destination. Oladipo, as the second pick in the 2013 Draft and probably the best player in his draft class, has a lot of expectation and pressure heaped upon him.
The Magic will expect him to step up into a larger role in his third year. Oladipo seems ready to do so.
Next: Final Grade
Final Grade
More than that though, Oladipo began making a turn toward something greater. After recovering from a facial fracture suffered late in the preseason, Oladipo hit his stride and became the best all-around player for the team. He still had that hounding defense and his jumper began to show more consistency to pair with his strong driving ability.
Oladipo still has plenty to improve on. He struggled to get to the foul line and draw fouls. That is something to say for someone who drives as much as he did. That might also explain his low field goal percentage.
As Oladipo continues to come into his own, he will have to gain more efficiency. That is part of the next step in his career progression to becoming a star. Oladipo has the drive to get to that level. This summer will be big for him.
In his second year, Oladipo started to show his full potential. He still has a ways to go. And for this year having Oladipo as your best player was probably not going to make a few wins. But he showed progress and made 2016 all the more promising.
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Victor Oladipo met expectations and continued the growth you would expect from a second-year player. He continued to discover who he was as a player and continued to find his fit within the league. That is all good.
More than that though, Oladipo began making a turn toward something greater. After recovering from a facial fracture suffered late in the preseason, Oladipo hit his stride and became the best all-around player for the team. He still had that hounding defense and his jumper began to show more consistency to pair with his strong driving ability.
Oladipo still has plenty to improve on. He struggled to get to the foul line and draw fouls. That is something to say for someone who drives as much as he did. That might also explain his low field goal percentage.
As Oladipo continues to come into his own, he will have to gain more efficiency. That is part of the next step in his career progression to becoming a star. Oladipo has the drive to get to that level. This summer will be big for him.
In his second year, Oladipo started to show his full potential. He still has a ways to go. And for this year having Oladipo as your best player was probably not going to make a few wins. But he showed progress and made 2016 all the more promising.