I’ve always been branded as the eternal pessimist. Just ask anyone who has known me for more than 30 minutes and they’ll tell you the same. I’ve been called a conspiracy theorist, an old curmudgeon, Danny Downer, and some other names that just can’t be printed here. Fine, assign whatever moniker you think I deserve, but I’m telling you, l think there’s more to Victor Oladipo’s knee than just the soreness that’s being reported. The ultra-talented guard hasn’t seen the court since Nov. 17, and while the Pacers are seven up and four down without him in the lineup, the only word from their camp is, again, “soreness.” While Oladipo was clicking right along before his knee flared, posting averages of 21 points a game to go along with six rebounds and four assists, one must wonder if this recent bout with soreness isn’t a reoccurrence of the sprained medial collateral ligament he experienced in October of 2014.
The Pacers have been overly tight-lipped about his condition, stating updates would be released as warranted, and while there has been talk of him returning to practice soon, the hiatus of their budding superstar continues, and as this period of inactivity approaches one month, isn’t it time to communicate if the team doctors are simply being cautious, or if the young man’s injury is more serious than what is being said?
While there is a history in the NBA with certain teams providing zero information to the media regarding the extent of injuries to their players, l would not classify the Pacers organization as one of those who like to play those types of games accordingly.
Sure they’ve always been silent in terms of contractual matters, and yes, there’s that whole health privacy matter, but a number of teams do that. However this one is somewhat different, as it pertains to their best player and when talking to certain individuals who are smarter than me about orthopedic matters, and are closer to the situation than yours truly, there is some concern related to the extent of the situation.
At this point, the aforementioned medical experts point to rest and rehab as an alternative to surgery, and who am I to debate them? Oladipo appears to be in good spirits as he dons street clothing on the bench, jumping up and down as he cheers his teammates on, but it’s been 11 games, and no definitive word on his return.
Look, I get it. Take every precaution and make sure he’s ready to play, and yes, modern sports medicine can fix a sprained MCL (if that’s the case) quicker than you can call me an idiot for doubting the extent of his injury, but what is actually causing this prolonged soreness and what is the actual likelihood of his return being sooner than later? The Pacers have a world-class medical staff, and they certainly don’t need to turn to a minion like me for a second opinion, but at some point in the near future, an announcement on the extent of the injury truly needs to be released. l’d love to be incorrect, but if it’s even just a bit more serious than what we’ve been told to date, put it out there and let the ticket buying public know about the extent of his injury, and let the chips fall where they may, plain and simple.
One thing is for certain, my questioning those in charge of both his rehab and the distribution of information pertaining to such is not a knock on Oladipo. He plays hard every night and has provided some sorely needed hope and optimism to a franchise that was both devastated and left reeling by the departure of Paul George, but at some point, the status of his health needs to be communicated. Let me be the bad guy here and say it’s time to share information, and perhaps that needs to come from Oladipo himself. Then again, maybe l’m wrong about it and his return will be the Christmas present every one is looking for. Pacers fans, keep the faith, but l should mention, there is no Santa Claus in the NBA. Let’s just hope that knee is fine and l can eat crow.
Danny Bridges, who wishes No. 4 a complete and successful recovery, can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
Danny Bridges is an award-winning journalist and a longtime sports columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder. He covers college, professional sports and especially all things IndyCar racing. He can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
