Oladipo: ‘It’s Just Time to Win’
By John Denton - Orlando Magic // September 8, 2015
ORLANDO, FLORIDA -– A definitive leader on a team that has been together for the most part for the past two seasons, Victor Oladipo knows that the time is now for the Orlando Magic to make some major strides.
With a solid foundation of center Nikola Vucevic, forwards Tobias Harris and Aaron Gordon and guards Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier and Oladipo firmly in place, the Magic seemingly have all the pieces to become a factor in the Eastern Conference this season. The squad has been through three difficult rebuilding seasons – the past two with Oladipo playing a primary role – and the standout guard feels that the Magic now have the talent, maturity and focus needed to show some significant progress.
“I’m looking forward to (the season) because we have a lot of young talent,’’ said Oladipo, who took time out of his training on Tuesday to appear at an elementary school event to combat hunger in Central Florida. “I feel like we have a lot of the pieces to be successful.
“We’ve been together for awhile, for a couple of years now and we’re tired of using the `we’re too young’ excuse,’’ Oladipo continued. “It’s just time to win.’’
Asked pointedly on Tuesday what his goals are for the season, Oladipo answered the question with a succinct and not-so-subtle answer. He could have talked about boosting his scoring average another four points per game as he did last season. Or he could have talked on and on about potentially making the NBA All-Star Game or winning the Slam Dunk Contest. Instead, Oladipo was more direct.
