Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka
PF, 6’10, 235lbs, 27 years old, 8 years of experience

Brought in to shore up the power forward position hitherto occupied by committee, Ibaka did what he was brought in to do, aside from a dip in his outside shooting in the playoffs. Notwithstanding the concerns about his declining rebounding, declining interior defence, advancing age (he isn’t old, but he will be soon) and how much it will cost to keep him on a budget that is not limitless, not retaining Ibaka this summer will mean once again needing to find a player like Ibaka. He will have resale value down the road, too, and a four year $80 million deal is feasible for his services, even if that means overpayment in the back end.

Player Plan: Entering unrestricted free agency and undoubtedly seeking a pay rise on his $12.25 million previous salary. Seems willing to re-sign, and a four year, $80 million pact seems fair. However, it should probably decline over its lifespan rather than increase, for that is what is happening with his level of play.

[...] Or take Serge Ibaka, never a post-offense player but a prolific offensive rebounder who has forgone that skill in favour of being a high volume, high efficiency three-point shooter. His naturally slender frame did not lend itself to post muscle. But his long strong, co-ordination and high release made him suitable for the perimeter, where he now does much of his offensive work. Ibaka is taking four threes a game and hitting them at 40% - this, it should be remembered, was a number it was once thought even for a prime Vince Carter.

Serge Ibaka is in the building, and watches on in a dead salmon-coloured blazer, somehow combining pocket silk and jeans.

Serge Ibaka

Sergeballu LaMu Sayonga Loom Walahas Jonas Hugo Ibaka made a seamless transition last year, going from one of the best young contributors in the ACB to being one of the best young contributors in the NBA. He can defend as well as anyone of that body type and athleticism, run the floor, rebound rather prolifically, and stick the open jumpshots. His rookie PER of 15.2 is pretty close to his age (20), and that gap will be closed next year. Jeff Green has long been typecast as a perfect combo forward sixth man; because of the emergence of Ibaka, I'm pretty sure he soon will be.

(Only one problem with that idea; a lineup of Westbrook, Thabo, Durant, Ibaka and Aldrich/Krstic lacks shooting. You can't bench Westbrook, obviously, because he's too good. And you can't bench Thabo, because he's in there to shut down star opposing wing players, and star opposing wing players don't come off the bench. So benching Green for Ibaka puts all the outside shooting pressure on Durant, which isn't a good idea. Still, though. Even if Ibaka remains a backup, he's an awesome one.)

Ibaka was the result of the first of the two first rounders that Phoenix gave Oklahoma City in exchange for taking on the salary of Kurt Thomas. The second was used on Quincy Pondexter and will soon be a part of the trade for Cole Aldrich. Sam Presti is almost unsurpassed in accumulating assets; in this instance, he freaking nailed it with using them, too.