Miami Heat: What To Expect When Victor Oladipo Returns

Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) warms up before the game against the Detroit Pistons(Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports)
Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) warms up before the game against the Detroit Pistons(Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Victor Oladipo #4 of the Miami Heat poses for a photo during Media Day(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Miami Heat: What To Expect When Victor Oladipo Returns

Based on his career numbers, Oladipo is an excellent scorer and defender. Over 454 career games, he averages 17.5 points per game and 1.6 steals per contest as well.

Coupled with his 4.6 rebounds per game and four assists per game, it is no wonder that Dipo became a multiple-time All-Star.

These impressive numbers, however, are the result of playing 33 minutes per game over the course of his career. Coming off an injury, it is unlikely that Oladipo can maintain that level of wear and tear.

It is much more likely that he begins his comeback in a bench role.

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Much like Klay Thompson, Oladipo is likely to start off only playing 20 to 22 minutes per game, if that, while slowly building up to a more robust role.

What type of player will the Heat get in a 20-22 minute per night role? That is a very interesting question.

You could look at it in a myriad of ways. The best case is a guy capable of all that has been described but at a peak level relative to his returning form and health, based on the fact that he should be able to max himself out in fewer minutes.

The worst case is a guy that struggles to find footing or a returning form due to a lack of volume and live game reps. You could pull a layer or so back there too though.