| |
|
NBA -- New season brings new hope for Pacers
By Jon Moskovich
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 21 Oct 2019
Oladipo.
INDIANA -- The Indiana Pacers were well on their way to a solid 2018-19 season, charging in with a 26-13 record before the annual NBA All-Star break when tragedy struck.
On January 23, 2019 while playing against the eventual champions Toronto Raptors, Victor Oladipo, the undisputed leader of the team, ruptured his quad tendon and was lost for the remainder of the season.
At the time of the mishap, Oladipo was averaging 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds in 5.2 assists in the 36 games in which he had played. It was a devastating loss the Pacers couldn't recover from.
Although the Pacers managed to make to playoffs, finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 won-lost record, they were bumped off by the Boston Celtics in the opening round.
But as a new season dawns, new hope rises.
And Victor Oladipo will be coming back.
There is to exact timetable when he will will return to the starting lineup, but Oladipo joined the team's 5-on-5 practice a few days ago and the forecast is promising.
."I feel like I've gotten better in a lot of attributes, not only as a man, but in my game as well," Oladipo told the Indianapolis Star after a day of drills at the team's practice facilities in downtown Indianapolis.
Not only is Oladipo determined to return, he is stronger and better than ever.
"I've been working on things you normally don't get to work on, and I'm looking forward to showcasing these things eventually when I get back. But in the meantime, I'm just taking it slow, one day at a time and doing whatever it takes to help this team."
Even with a healthy Oladipo, the Pacers are still likely to be looking up to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers in the crowded Eastern Conference which has become so wide open since Kawhi Leomard abandoned Toronto for the Los Angeles Clippers.
But Indiana is still much better off with him than without.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jon Moskovich.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026MILO Marathon returns to Davao on August 2
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM WEEKEND ROUNDUP: News, Fallout, and the Long Shadow of Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Joe Hand Promotions Secures Commercial Rights for Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu Showdown
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Head to Tampa to Learn from Hall of Famers Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright Ahead of August 14 Homecoming Fight
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Extends Brentwood Town Fc Partnership as Principle Partner for Next Five Years as Barry Hearn Obe Provides Significant Investment to Non-League Football Club
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026IBA Pro announces departure of Director Al Siesta
, Mon, 20 Jul 2026Suarez sends strong signal
By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026THE CORNER SHIFT: Can Ronnie Shields Rebuild Errol Spence Jr. After the Derrick James Fallout?
By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026Yusniel Abrahante Shocks Undefeated Luis Coria in Dominant Performance Live on ProBox TV
, Sun, 19 Jul 2026Salamov stops Suarez as Borshchev beats Brito at historic IBA Bare Knuckle US debut
, Sun, 19 Jul 2026Pichay re-elected NCFP prexy, eyes more GMs
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Olympus Rising by TWC - Amateur MMA Fight on Saturday; live broadcast via Kalaro 3.0 Sports Super-app
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Suarez Obliterates Avila in One-Round Blitz to Capture WBO International Crown (Photos)
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Spence vs Tszyu, The Biggest Crossroad Fight Of 2026!
By Ralph Rimpell, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Power Past Host Peru, Finish World Cup Campaign on a High Note
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Diego Pacheco and Immanuwel Aleem Tip Scales for Carson Showdown
, Sat, 18 Jul 2026Weights From ‘Flores vs. Navarro’ and 'Suarez vs Avila' at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA & Live on ProBoxTV
, Sat, 18 Jul 2026Tickets on Sale Now for Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ on Sept 4 – Live on TNT and DAZN
, Sat, 18 Jul 2026Golden Boy Promotions and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Reach Settlement, Focus on Biggest Fights Ahead
, Sat, 18 Jul 2026Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against World No 3 Puerto Rico, Split Doubleheader in Lima
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026"Pipino" Cuevas: 50 Years as Mexico's Youngest World Champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026IBA Secretary General & CEO, Chris Roberts OBE: Regulation is how IBA pave the way forward for Bare-Knuckle Boxing
, Fri, 17 Jul 2026EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PACHECO VS. ALEEM IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA
, Fri, 17 Jul 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
