Houston Rocket of America new signing, Victor Oladipo has confessed that he really feels blessed and privilege with the opportunity of starting a new lease of life in USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA), despite the myriad of injuries that plagued him over the past two years.
After missing the whole of 2019 due to injury, Oladipo’s return was cut short by the suspension of action due to the outbreak of coronavirus early last year, and he then bowed out again just after a match back ‘in the bubble’ when the league resumed midway through 2020.
However, megasportsarena.com gathered that, since surprisingly getting trade by Indiana Pacers to his current base in Houston, Texas, things have turned full circle for the two-time NBA All-Star and Oladipo has now come out with a down-to-earth admission that God has been on his side.
This comes after he was traded from Indiana to The Rockets in a mega-deal that also sent James Harden to Brooklyn Nets and, though a report emerged back then that Houston was not his preferred destination, the Nigerian-born lad insists he is already feeling at home.
That has put the lie to the report by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, who hinted that Oladipo would prefer a deal with Bam Adebayo, Semi Ojeleye and Andre Iguodala’s Miami Heat, but the Cupid-faced lad says he has put behind him the woes of being plagued by injuries and COVID-19 quarantines.
There was also the drama involving Harden’s off-season trade request and cynical talk over how The Rockets (4-8) currently have the second-worst record in the NBA’s Western Conference, in which they have lost four of five games overall, but Oladipo is staying upbeat.
However, despite how positive Oladipo is trying to sound, facts show that Houston need wins to keep his buoyant mood alive, or the team’s general manager, Rafael Stone could have some hard decisions to make by the March 25 trade deadline, when it comes to taking decisions on the club’s veterans that have expiring contracts, such as the former Pacers’ star and PJ Tucker.
The odds are now dangling for Oladipo, who said at his introductory press conference that he joined The Rockets with an open mind and open heart this season, but the door to him having a long-term partnership with the team would depend on whether things go right for them both.
Considering that Oladipo will become a free agent after this season, alarm bells are rolling already among many Houston fans about whether the 28-year-old Nigerian-born star might need to be dealt again before the upcoming March 25 trade deadline, in order to avoid potentially losing him without compensation.
However, the 6-foot-4 guard has spoken out to douse all those worries and, while he has not shown any sign of wanting to be elsewhere, in contrast to Harden, who infamously blasted that The Rockets ‘just weren’t good enough,’ Oladipo said after Monday’s close loss to Chicago Bulls that he believes God played a role in taking him to his current team.
Oladipo declared after scoring 32 points and dishing out 9 assists: “I’m happy. I’m truly happy; because I feel better days are ahead of us. I just give God glory for the ability to play this game and the position I’m.
“I remember two years ago, I could not walk. I know better days are ahead for the Houston Rockets, and I’m looking forward to being a part of those special days. We’re not trying to be a good team. We’re trying to be a great team. We have the ability to do so.
“We have the personnel to do so and the coach. Now it’s all about doing it and buying into every day, every possession, and playing every game like it’s our last. That’s this team’s mentality. It was great going out there and just playing basketball, doing my best to get guys involved.
“Trying to flow with the offense and things like that. It was great for the first go-round. It can only get better from here. I’m optimistic. I’m definitely positive and hope everyone is too, because our better days are ahead.”
