In his first game with the Wisconsin Herd, two-time NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo totaled 24 minutes, and, as expected, his play was up and down. If he wants to make it back to the NBA, which is the clear goal in mind here, Oladipo will have to build off this performance. The Herd, G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, will continue to help make that a reality for the veteran.
Oladipo showed signs, but he's still rounding into form
It shouldn't be too surprising that Oladipo didn't light the world on fire in his first game since the Herd acquired him via trade. Working his way back onto the court after a 2023 patellar tendon injury, the guard is still trying to regain his footing. He looked good in a few preseason games as a member of the Guangzhou Loong Lions, but this would be a much different opportunity for him.
There were signs that he could be a quality player sprinkled in his Herd debut, a 127-114 loss to the Windy City Bulls. In 24 minutes, Oladipo finished with 11 points, two rebounds, two steals, one block, and one assist, stuffing the stat sheet from start to finish.
His shooting wasn't spot-on, going just 5-of-12 from the floor, but when he did score, he did it in a variety of ways. Whether he was knocking down a three, blowing by his defender for a layup, or intercepting a pass before throwing down a dunk, Oladipo's entire offensive repertoire was on display. That included a sweet pass to Johnny Davis, another Wisconsin Herd reclamation project, for a dunk.
Of course, beyond just seeing if he can still score and defend well, the biggest thing teams should be watching regarding Oladipo's comeback is his athleticism. Prior to his injury, he was an elite athlete who constantly made plays because of it. At 33, some of that athletic ability has naturally faded away, and the injuries won't help, but there's a chance he still has some in the tank. The value of athleticism only continues to grow in today's NBA.
Oladipo's NBA comeback attempt is just getting started. He has his foot in the door, and the Bucks will certainly be among the teams keeping an eye on him, but nothing is imminent. If he increases his scoring output while showing that his defense is still very much a part of his game, his comeback bid will gain more traction. For now, it's all about keeping his head down and working every single day.
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