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Eric WoodyardESPN
Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo initially ruled out a comeback for the NBA restart in Orlando, but the two-time All-Star now says there is a “big chance” that could change, though he remains undecided.
“It was difficult for me to assess where I was from the large scale, and [with the coronavirus]I really couldn’t control that. But now, coming here and practicing, putting my feet under me, going out to play with the boys, there is a chance that I could play, “Oladipo told reporters during Zoom’s availability Wednesday.
Oladipo first planned to travel with the team to Orlando while continuing rehabilitation on his quadriceps tendon, but now his “body feels good” without restrictions from head coach Nate McMillan during practice. He is trying to try
“I just reevaluate myself and my body every day. I think people don’t realize that this injury I have is very unique,” he said. “No one of my height, my ability, has had this injury before, so there is no one else I should admire or reassess, so I am learning and growing as the days and weeks pass, just like you , but nobody understands or knows what I feel or what I am going through internally or what my body feels. I know what I am capable of. I know what level I must reach. I know how my body must feel to perform at the level that I am capable of. perform, because if I don’t, well then everyone will write about how I didn’t play at that great level or how I didn’t look good. “
Even before traveling to Orlando, the Pacers included him on their travel group roster as they worked on their options.
Basketball operations president Kevin Pritchard and general manager Chad Buchanan have publicly supported Oladipo, saying the decision was his and without giving him a set deadline, despite multiple sources confirming ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that there is a situation not settled on $ 3 million in salary.
The union feels it should pay him the remaining salary, while the league thinks he shouldn’t, Windhorst said. Either way, Oladipo says returning to basketball is his primary focus, not money.
“I don’t know. That is out of my control, I have no control over that. Honestly, to be real, I didn’t even know the quantity, which implies, I’m just focused on my knee,” Oladipo said. “I’m not really worried about anything I can’t control. It’s out of my control. Other people handle that, I guess, whatever the case may be, but I just want to play basketball, plain and simple. And I want to make sure my knee is at its best and I’m at my best when I go out to play at a high level. “
When news of Oladipo’s initial decision to stay out for the reboot was first leaked, McMillan says he discovered it through the media like everyone else. Oladipo admits that he made the decision prematurely because he didn’t feel like he was capable of playing at the time.
Still, it was his decision, and everyone respected him, but the Pacers still included him in basketball activities.
“He is playing with all three teams. We are involving him,” McMillan said Sunday. “We are not getting closer as if he is not playing. We are getting him out. There are no restrictions for Vic. He has been going hard … He has been going hard. The whole time he was away and now we have the opportunity to put him 5 against 5 , all of our boys 5 on 5, there are no restrictions on how we are using it. It is involved in all practices and it is getting difficult. “
Domantas Sabonis also considered it positive to have Oladipo in practice while reflecting on his decision. There will be no further discussion on whether to start or leave the bench until you make a decision. “Having him around completes the team. We are a complete roster,” Sabonis said. “He’s another body we can go to, he’s an elite player. So he’s making us better at the same time, so it’s great to have him there.” Still, as much as he wants to play, Oladipo is putting his mental and physical health first. The plan was always to come to Orlando, try things through game-like situations, and then make the best decision not just for now but for years to come.
“Obviously it’s been a tough couple of years, and I’m just trying to be smart because I want to play the next 10 years,” said Oladipo.
The Pacers are willing to pay his salary, whether or not he plays for the rest of this shortened season, sources told Windhorst. So there is no real pressure whatsoever. “These people have been amazing since the day I put on this shirt. It’s not surprising that they endorse me and support me,” said Oladipo. “It is an amazing organization, amazing people. So I am grateful that they supported me. That is not necessarily something given when you are in a situation like mine, so I just want to tell you that I appreciate it for sure.”
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