WATCH: Victor Oladipo extensively booed by Pacers fans first return to Indiana
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Victor Oladipo
Miami Heat’s Victor Oladipo took the court first time since the Indiana Pacers traded him. However, he received a very lousy welcome from the Pacers fans, and there was much booing around the stadium. Unfortunately, Victor didn’t have fond memories of when he played for the Indiana Pacers franchise.
Viktor Oladipo might not have expected this as he would have liked the fans to come in numbers and support him on his former home turf. The guard averaged 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.9 steals while connecting on 2.1 triples per game in his stint with the Pacers franchise.
Oladipo made two All-Star appearances, received an All-NBA call-up, and won the 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year trophy with the Pacers. It was not Oladipo’s fault as he was a part of a four-team blockbuster trade deal centered around Philadelphia 76ers’ James Harden. Caris LeVert was initially traded to the Rockets, but shortly after, he was sent to the Pacers in exchange for Oladipo.
Victor Oladipo talks about his nostalgic moment as he returned to the Indiana Pacers’ court
Miami Heat was scheduled to play the Indiana Pacers. It was time for Heat’s star Victor Oladipo to play against his former team. He spent four seasons with the Indiana Pacers. After almost 12 games played by the Indiana Pacers in the 2020-21 NBA season, they failed to get their hands on the opportunity to acquire Caris LeVert in a deal involving Oladipo and his expiring contract. So, they moved on from the two-time All-Star.
Oladipo only played in 35 regular season games since injuries led to him missing so much game time with the Pacers. The Rockets traded Oladipo to Miami in March of 2021, and he has been with the franchise ever since. In a video that went viral, Victor spoke about his feeling about returning to the Pacers nest and stated that it brings some nostalgia to him, walking into the building. However, fans mocked him when he took the court, but Heat beat the Pacers 87-82.
Bam Adebayo had 22 points and 17 rebounds, and Jimmy Butler scored seven straight points late in the fourth quarter to finish with 20 points. The Heat had lost three of their previous four matches, which was a much-needed win for them.
On the other hand, Buddy Hield led the Pacers with 19 points, and Andrew Nembhard scored 18 as Indiana lost its second straight for the sixth time in eight games.
Also read When did Paul Silas hand LeBron James his debut?
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Rutuja Suryawanshi
(247 Articles Published)