NBA MIP: Victor Oladipo

Victor Oladipo. Photo by Kevin Winter, Getty Images, Turner Sports

"I’m going to take my game to the next level. There’s no trying. I’m not going to try. I’m going to take my game to the next level..."

-Victor Oladipo

Last night, Victor Oladipo won the award for the 2017-18 NBA Most Improved Player. About four months ago, I made a case for him winning the league's MVP, as he put up MVP numbers. He finished the season averaging 23 points, 5 boards, 4 assists, and 2.5 steals, in which he led the league. He made the NBA All-Defensive First Team, and the All-NBA Third Team.

The other candidates for the award were the Houston Rockets' Clint Capela, and the Brooklyn Nets' Spencer Dinwiddie. No disrespect to those guys, they both stepped up their games from their previous years, which is why they were considered for the award, but Vic was a no-brainer here. Actually, the case I've stated in the above paragraph is enough to prove my point, but I'll continue.

Slam dunk on LeBron. Lovely capture.

Overall, it was a team effort, but Vic was the main source of the Pacers turnaround and awe-inspiring overachievement. I mean, to hear the "analysts," and "experts" tell it, they weren't even supposed to make the playoffs, nevertheless win 48 games last season, and it was mostly due to Vic's initiative to embrace the responsibility of putting the team on his back, making Indiana perhaps the most improved team.

There's still some rough spots that need to be smoothed out (i.e.limiting turnovers), and the work to make this team a dynasty is far from complete, but, as I've alluded to before, if he maintains the team mindset-- not becoming a "diva"-- while continuing to elevate his game, the sky's the limit for this young man, and the Pacers could have their first championship sooner rather later. I'm definitely pushing for sooner.