5 takeaways from the Indiana Pacers sweeping the Warriors

3. Victor Oladipo is a certified leader

Okay, so maybe most of Hoosier Nation knew that, but as the world tunes in to the highlights the morning after, it’s pretty clear that Oladipo is the real deal and in case anyone missed his showcase at the All-Star game, now it is known: he is a bonafide star and leader.

While he only turned in as a +7 in the first game, he did so with 24 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Meanwhile, in the more recent Warrior game where the All-Star starting lineup was ready to roll (with the exception of Stephen Curry), he boasted a gaudy +27 with a stat line of 21 points, seven dimes, six rebounds and three steals.

Outside of the stats, Oladipo controls the tempo of the game, he controls the locker room despite not being the most journeyed or senior of his teammates, and mostly, he is modest about his breakout season. He will no doubt end up being named the Most Improved Player of the season, a huge honor, and hopefully by that time, he will have already proved to the nation that he can win a playoff series as well.