On March 8, Beijing time, in a game that ended earlier today, the Miami Heat defeated the Houston Rockets 123-106 at home.
In this game, Heat guard Victor Oladipo made his debut this season, playing 14 minutes, shooting 4-of-7, including 2-of-3 from three-point range, and had 11 points, 1 rebound and 4 assists. After returning after so many days, Oladipo's state is back well.
In an interview with the media after the game, Oladipo could not hide his excitement. He said he was lucky and grateful to continue to do what he loved, playing for the Heat and the league at the highest level. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to doctors, teammates and coaches that they were the real MVPs.
As a well-known inspirational representative of the NBA, Oladipo's career has been full of drama. He was an absolute team core at the Pacers at his peak, averaging 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game in the 2017-18 season, shooting 47.7% from the field and 37.1% from three-point range, and was also selected for the All-Star Regular Game that season.
However, he suffered from injuries in the following season, leaving the Pacers last season, then passing through the Rockets and finally to the Heat. The Heat had just played four games and were reimbursed for the season to receive surgery on the right quadriceps tendon.
This season, Oladipo has won a $2.39 million dollar-a-year base salary contract with the Heat, which is different from when he was an All-Star. For the 29-year-old, he has to start thinking about his next contract, and this season with the Heat will determine whether he can get a foothold in the competitive NBA after that.
His teammate Taylor Shireo has a different situation, Hiro played 30 minutes off the bench in today's game, shooting 12 of 18, including 6 of 9 three-pointers, and cutting 31 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal with super efficiency.
According to relevant statistics, Hiro has been in very good shape in the last 7 games. He averaged 25.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, shooting 54 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range, during which time the team also achieved a good record of 6 wins and 1 loss.
Hiro has played more and more easily this season after being put on the bench by the head coach. So far this season, he has played 53 games for the team, 43 of which are substitutes. In 32.7 minutes per game, he can get 20.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Hiro is ostensibly the team's backup defender, but is actually the team's second-place scorer and has an important tactical position in the team. The head coach put him on the bench and made him the absolute offensive core of the second team, and he had enough shots. With his outstanding personal performances this season, he has also become a popular candidate for the best sixth man of the season.
Hiro is still in the middle of a rookie contract, making him only $4 million this year, and his contract expires next season. Judging by his performance this year, the Heat will most likely complete a substantial contract extension with him. Even if the Heat do not renew their contracts, I believe there will be many teams that will pursue him.