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Indiana Pacers: 5 goals for Victor Oladipo in 2017-18

By Adrian Lawhorn

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 25, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 25, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /

5. Embrace opportunity to become the team’s new “alpha”

Now that the reset button has been hit, the Indiana Pacers have plenty of key roles that are wide open going into training camp. Paul George used to be the team’s undisputed go-to guy, but he is now a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The team’s new No. 1 option has yet to be determined, but Victor Oladipo is arguably the most qualified player to assume that responsibility — and he seems willing to step into that spotlight.

Oladipo has made recent statements to the press that he is done being “Mr. Nice Guy” and wants to show everyone that he is an alpha dog, not a complementary piece.

Myles Turner has also embraced the opportunity to become more of a leader for this new-look Pacers club, but as Oladipo gains his footing in Indiana, he can and should look to become the team’s new main man.

Going into his fifth NBA season, this is the first time Victor Oladipo has had an opportunity to truly be “the guy.” He has never been a team’s leading scorer during his pro career, but 2017-18 could prove to be a turning point for Oladipo.

If Victor Oladipo fully buys into being Indiana’s new alpha, the sky’s the limit for the 25-year-old shooting guard. However, some players can’t handle that kind of responsibility, so Oladipo will have to prove that he is up to the task.

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