Those who know Durant cite two primary factors: a rocky Nets season that ended in a first-round playoff sweep; and the franchise’s soured relationship with Irving, his close friend. Durant doesn’t see much hope for a revival under the circumstances, those sources say. And he’s unhappy that his friend is unhappy.
Those who know Durant cite two primary factors: a rocky…
August 10, 2022 | 3:24 pm EDT Update
Victor Oladipo: I'm one of the best players in the world, period
Now, the focus for Victor Oladipo is singular, the intent of his summer of sweat geared toward one reality. “That I’m one of the best players in the world. Period,” the 30-year-old veteran said. “I think that my injury has kind of built a misconception of who I am as a player.”
“Why can’t I come back from this injury and what I’ve been through and have an even greater career than I thought I could have prior to it? Why can’t I?” Oladipo said in a passionate moment during the interview with Carter. “And I don’t see no reason why I can’t. “So I truly believe that I can, and that’s what I’m trying to prove to myself, first and foremost, is that I’m capable of great things even now, it’s never too late, no matter what anyone says or what the world may think or what people tell you.”
Victor Oladipo calls it his Revenge Tour, the Miami Heat guard regularly filling his social media with posts about his grueling offseason workout schedule, including recent sessions with Russell Westbrook in Los Angeles. As he explained on Vince Carter’s VC Show podcast, it has been work with the singular goal of getting back to the All-Star level previously reached before a string of knee and quadriceps issues. “That’s something that I came up with, just because I felt like the last couple of years have been really tough on me,” Oladipo said, “and I’ve obviously gone through a lot individually and my team, my family have gone through a lot with me collectively.”
Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis made their debut on the Lithuanian national team this summer. Powered by the big man duo, Lithuania easily defeated Finland at home 86-61 (28-13, 15-16, 20-13, 13-19).
Domantas Sabonis was the only player that scored in double-digits for Lithuania, leading the team with 10 points in a balanced effort, while also grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists. Valanciunas added 8 points and 6 rebounds.
But then came the All-Star break, a somewhat surprising trip to the Rising Stars Challenge, and, as Precious Achiuwa’s longtime trainer Kenneth Miller said, a newfound confidence for the young Raptor. From late February on, Achiuwa hit a stride and didn’t look back. His three-point percentage took off, his decision-making was more refined, and his offense was much improved. “I think kind of after the all-star break … he got a good feeling like, okay, I feel like I can fit here, I belong here,” Miller said. “That was a coming-out party for him, and he’s just been building on it ever since.”
What has the plan been for you and Precious this summer? Miller: It was a mix of a couple of different things. … We watched a lot of film, studied, kind of picked at his flaws, where he could get better at finishing run around, handling the ball, creating his own shot off the dribble, whether it be for himself or for his teammates, and just being in the best shape possible. He felt like he could have been in better shape towards the end of the year.
Has he improved in those areas? Miller: He has looked amazing. … The handle has improved a lot. Finishing around the rim looks really good. Playing off angles and creating his own shot off the dribble. He’s looking good, man. He’s been putting in a lot of work, dedication, early mornings, late nights, taking care of his body, doing all the necessary things to take a bigger step this coming year. What has his three-point shot looked like lately? Miller: It’s looking really good, man. … He’s been shooting it really good, working on it every day, just trying to get a higher percentage.
