This is not an optimistic story, not after what just happened to Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo.
A sight that can’t be unseen: Oladipo, almost universally embraced by a city, a state that he almost universally embraces back, who was the primary driving force behind rescuing a proud franchise out of certain oblivion, who is certainly the face if not be heart and soul, as well, of the Indiana Pacers organization, the man we’d all rather picture weaving through defenders, soaring airborne toward the basket or unfurling deep threes that swish nets while buzzers sound, was sitting, supported by both arms, underneath the southern basket at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on a Wednesday night that should have been a triumphal Wednesday night, with a Gatorade towel draped over his freshly disfigured knee.