2017 NBA Manifesto
Victor Oladipo
SG, 6’4, 210lbs, 24 years old, 4 years of experience
A mediocre debut Thunder season across the board for Oladipo, who seems like a weird pairing with Westbrook. His three throw rate plummeted as he tried to become more of an outside shooter to suit Russ’s needs, with some results to be seen in a 36.6% three-point shooting rate, yet in driving less and facilitating less, he is only taking fewer risks by making less happen. At a time that he is about to start an enormous contract, he is shrinking his game. Even when playing alongside the second unit, who needed all the shot creation they could get, Oladipo focused more on being a shooter. He needs to stay aggressive, even when that aggressiveness yields mistakes. And not aggressive as in “take bad shots” aggressive, like in the playoffs. Aggressive as in drawing the defence, kicking, defending, cutting and running.
Player Plan: Beginning a four year, $84 million extension this summer, yet always felt more like a “best piece we can get” acquisition rather than a targeted piece for the future, and looked as much in his only Thunder season so far. The contract will deter some teams, but if his future is not alongside Westbrook, the process of finding a trade for him may as well start now.
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SG, 6’4, 210lbs, 24 years old, 4 years of experience
A mediocre debut Thunder season across the board for Oladipo, who seems like a weird pairing with Westbrook. His three throw rate plummeted as he tried to become more of an outside shooter to suit Russ’s needs, with some results to be seen in a 36.6% three-point shooting rate, yet in driving less and facilitating less, he is only taking fewer risks by making less happen. At a time that he is about to start an enormous contract, he is shrinking his game. Even when playing alongside the second unit, who needed all the shot creation they could get, Oladipo focused more on being a shooter. He needs to stay aggressive, even when that aggressiveness yields mistakes. And not aggressive as in “take bad shots” aggressive, like in the playoffs. Aggressive as in drawing the defence, kicking, defending, cutting and running.
Player Plan: Beginning a four year, $84 million extension this summer, yet always felt more like a “best piece we can get” acquisition rather than a targeted piece for the future, and looked as much in his only Thunder season so far. The contract will deter some teams, but if his future is not alongside Westbrook, the process of finding a trade for him may as well start now.
