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Orlando Magic: Week One Thoughts

By Luke Duffy

Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 10-107 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 10-107 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Victor Oladipo Is Proving Me Wrong

I’ve long since thought that Oladipo would be better suited being the second best player on this team. When Vucevic took the final shot against the Wizards, I thought that perhaps Oladipo’s role had finally been defined for him, a two way guard who could do a little of everything. Now though, he’s looking like he could be a top five player in his position by season’s end.

He was immense against the Thunder, knocking down a difficult three-pointer that initially looked like it had won the Magic the game before Russell Westbrook lost his mind.

Against the Wizards, he led the team in scoring (17) and rebounding (11). Against the Thunder, he posted the first triple-double this season in the league and again led the team in rebounds (13) as well as assists (10). But while he’s averaging 19 points a game, he’s done so shooting 38 percent from the field and 22 percent from three point range.

Clearly he needs to be more effective with his shooting, but there’s also no denying that already he looks a better player with star like qualities.

During that epic double-overtime loss to the Thunder, Oladipo played a whopping 50 minutes, a team high. The flip side of that however is that he posted a +/- of -9, the worst mark on the team. In some ways you can accept that because the ball was in his hands a lot as he tried to keep his team in the game.

He’s looked great at times already, but as soon as he figures out how to be more effective and pick his spots, the rest of the league is in trouble.

Next: Winning Still The Big Issue However

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