INDIANAPOLIS — Victor Oladipo says he's "a positive butterfly."
The Pacer star spoke to reporters by phone Monday from Miami, where he is rehabbing after suffering a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee on Jan. 23.
Oladipo says there is no specific timetable for his return, but he's looking forward to seeing his surgically-repaired knee stronger than it was.
"I am a very optimistic person and very confident that I will be able to come back better than ever," he said. "I'm just taking it one day at a time and healing as best I can."
The Pacers lost four straight games after the injury, but have now won five in a row.
The winning streak began after Oladipo met with players in Miami.
Since then, he says the team has been "nothing short of amazing."
"For me, it was just important for me that they just needed to hear my voice. Kind of let them know I am good," Oladipo said. "I felt bad because I didn't want the season to end the way it did. I felt like I was letting them down a little bit.. To be able to see them and talk to them, it was good for me to be able to tell the team we are right where we want to be."
Oladipo was Indiana's leading scorer when he went down, but he says the Pacers can still do "special things" this season without him.
He's been watching games on television and sends text messages to players and coaches with his observations.
Oladipo's daily routine of going to the gym and rehab keeps him busy.
He's also finding time to read books.
"I am not just lying around on the bed or couch and not doing anything," Oladipo said.
