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5 players with something to prove when NBA returns

By Luke Duffy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs drives the ball around Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 22, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs drives the ball around Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 22, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers
NBA (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

4. Victor Oladipo

The Indiana Pacers were clearly a team on the rise last season until they lost Victor Oladipo to long-term injury. Then they added Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis became an All-Star this year, and they were doing just fine without him actually. When Oladipo returned the Pacers were trying to force him into what they had working for them, and it wasn’t quite working.

So this tournament represents a chance for Oladipo to get back to that All-Star level he was playing at, and which he looked like unlocking again when he returned in bursts, even if the organization doesn’t figure to have much of a say in the playoff race itself.

That’s not important right now, however, as this is where Oladipo asserts himself again as the best player on the team, and where he finds that balance with Brogdon so that they can become a valuable combination for the organization. Sabonis will add offensive footwork and great passing around the paint, but the key for Oladipo here could be Myles Turner.

Related Story. Has Indiana seen enough from Oladipo this year?. light

Seen as a guy who would have to be traded for Sabonis to truly flourish and so that he could turn into the player he is capable of being, Turner started all 55 games he appeared in. Sabonis started all 62 games that he was a part of too, providing the Pacers with two skilled big men to work with. This is a different direction to much of the league, but it was working for them.

You add Oladipo to the mix with those two, especially in pick and roll situations, and it takes what the Pacers can do offensively to another level. Turner is a 33.6 percent shooter from deep, while Sabonis averaged 18.5 points per game. Oladipo put up 23.1 points two seasons ago before his injury, and if he can get close to that again it really will be a matter of “pick your poison” for opponents.

These games also give Oladipo a chance to move on from some strange comments he made about Fultz which, for obvious reasons as the news cycle has more important things to worry about went largely unnoticed. Oladipo should know better, especially as he struggled while with the Magic himself while there, but people won’t care if he comes back in top form on both ends.