The forecasts were pessimistic to outright gloomy for the Indiana Pacers heading into the 2017-18 season.
Longtime franchise star Paul George was gone, traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and fans and analysts alike wondered what Indiana could do without a true star heading into the season.
That question was answered, emphatically, by one of the guys acquired from the Thunder in the George deal, as former No. 2 overall pick Victor Oladipo broke out in a huge way last season.
Oladipo had been a solid, but not star, player for the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City in his first four seasons and what he did last season went beyond merely being unexpected.