Victor Oladipo: Cavs owner Dan Gilbert's comment 'added fuel to the fire'

Indiana star Victor Oladipo said after Sunday’s Game 1 win over Cleveland that he was aware of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert’s snide comment this summer regarding the Paul George trade.

Gilbert, speaking at a press conference to introduce new Cavs general manager Koby Altman in July, said of the Pacers’ trade: “I will say that Indiana could have done better than it did.”

Indiana traded George to the Oklahoma City Thunder in return for Oladipo and second-year center Domantas Sabonis. The blossoming guard blitzed the Cavs on Sunday for 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 6-of-9 from the three-point line. It was LeBron James' first loss in the first round since 2012.

Oladipo, who will likely win Most Improved Player this season after increasing his scoring average from 15.9 points last season to 23.1 this year and doubling his steals to 2.4 per game, said he was driven before the Gilbert comment, but it did motivate him.
 

“I already had fuel,” he said on Sunday. “You could say it added fuel to the fire. … That was so long ago. It came up recently obviously because we’re playing the Cavs in the series. I’m aware of what he said. Can’t control his opinion. All I’m focused on is myself and becoming the best Victor Oladipo possible."

The Cavs were reportedly seeking a George deal of their own before the Pacers settled on the Thunder’s offer.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said Pacers "could have done better" in Paul George trade.

Victor Oladipo, after 32P/ 6R/4A in Game 1 win, on Gilbert's words: "You could say he added fuel to the fire." pic.twitter.com/6v5J36hLuE

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 15, 2018