Over the past few months, Victor Oladipo has become the face of the Indiana Pacers franchise. After being involved in a trade many viewed as lopsided, he has taken the league by storm.
In a discussion with ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, he talked about his journey in the NBA and how it made him the player he is today. While talking about his experiences, he mentioned how Russell Westbrook helped shape him into being the player he is today during his time on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Because of the intensity, Westbrook brings every day, Oladipo used that to improve his game.
“One thing I learned from him (Russ) is he’s on 110 every day. The thing about me is that he’s on 110, I’m trying to get to 115. That’s something he kinda instilled in me without doing anything. Just being himself and that’s how I am here.”
“My teammates will tell you, “I don’t understand how he does it. He’s on 110 everyday.” I don’t know how I do it. It’s motivation. I’m chasing something every morning. Before I go to sleep, every time I wake up, all I think about is chasing No. 1. Whoever No. 1 is, team, player, that’s who I’m chasing and I gotta work hard everyday to get there.”
Oladipo also acknowledges Westbrook as a future hall of famer and hopes to obtain that title for himself as well.
“He’s a future hall of famer no question, and in order to get that, I’m going to have to put in the work and put in another level that I’ve never worked before. That’s what I did this summer and it’s paying off for me.”
Victor Oladipo has been enjoying what has been his best season so far in his career. Currently through 32 games this season, Oladipo is putting up per game averages of 25.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field, 42.5% from three and 79.3% at the free throw line.
