VIDEO: Oladipo has arrived, sinks Knicks with enormous double-OT performance
Victor Oladipo had his moment of arrival on Friday night, announcing his presence with authority to the New York Knicks and the rest of the NBA.
Of course, Oladipo has been here all year, averaging 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 31.5 minutes for the Magic. But his role has vacillated and his performance has lacked consistency, especially on the offensive end.
The talent has been obvious and brilliance seemingly just beneath the surface (he dropped 35 points on the Bulls in mid-January and had a 26-10-10 game against the 76ers in early December).
On Friday, however, Oladipo had his most complete game as a pro, helping lead his Orlando Magic to a 129-121 double-overtime victory against the Knicks. The rookie shot 11-of-23 from the floor for 30 points, adding nine rebounds, two steals and a career-high 14 assists.
He was especially impressive late, scoring 19 points with four rebounds and five assists in the fourth quarter and two overtimes combined. That's right, a 19-4-5 that would be a hell of a night on its own, in the game's 22 key minutes.
The Magic care little for wins and losses this season, and 17-40 is a record they'd prefer to one closer to .500. That will become even more evident after the buyout of Glen Davis and if the apparent ankle injury Arron Afflalo suffered on Friday is at all serious. This season is about player development for Jacque Vaughn and his squad, and Oladipo showed, for one night at least, the plan is working.
Of course, he couldn't do it without some help from the 21-34 Knicks, who have now lost four of their last five games and seven of their last nine. They once again find themselves four-and-a-half games back of the final playoff spot in the East, and time is running out.
Tyson Chandler, in particular, was willing to lend a hand with a missed dunk in the fourth quarter, a miss that turned out to be a big two points:
Poor Carmelo Anthony. 44 points, 11 rebounds and four assists and you get buried way down here. Sorry, 'Melo. There's always free agency.