Ibaka

[Clangus]

Don't look now, but in just 15mins a game Ibaka is 2nd amoung rookies in Blocks (behind Thabeet) and 6th in rebounds.(in the top 5 only Blair plays less minutes.

Looks like he is indeed the rebounder/blocker I was looking for, I am expecting big things come the second half of the year.

[slick_watts]

He's improving..

[some_rand]

start ibaka!

[wiff]

Honestly Ibaka is the best big on the Thunder. I don't consider Durant a big.

He might not have the shot Nenad has, but the kid has decent range. He might not be the team defender Nick is but the kid can hold his own in the post.

The kid is a crazy athlete, brings a ton of energy and he is producing. Keep feeding the kid minutes.

10 and 9 in 26 min is pretty decent. That goes with the 1.3 blocks to.

As long as the kid keeps putting up numbers keep him on the floor.

[dream_catcher_9]

he even hit a 3 earlier this year.

I cant believe how much he is improving....

[slick_watts]

He's improving but Nick is probably still better most nights (though Nick's had a couple poor games).

A couple examples from the game: Ibaka cannot pass. There was a possession I think in the fourth where he got the ball in the lane and just attempted a shot that didn't even get out of his hands because he was swarmed. Later on, after giving up one of two three point plays to Amar'e, KD went over to tell him something and it didn't look like Serge understood. Then on Channing Frye's three free throws, Serge started boxing out after the first attempt because he didn't understand the ref screaming 'three shots' at him.

I think Ibaka will be good and is definitely a solid rotation player already, but he's making a lot of mistakes. For every spectacular play he makes he makes another costly error. It's not unexpected considering the language barrier and the fact that he hasn't played American ball before, but it hampers his game and I think it keeps him from being as effective as he could be otherwise.

From all accounts he's a hard worker and is learning English in bits and pieces. I think next season will tell us a lot more about Serge; with a full offseason in the States to prepare and maybe learn some more English. He definitely oozes potential as a team defender / shot blocker. Still unsure about his offensive game.

[pr0wler]

For a guy that recently turned 20 years old, lived across the world his entire life and is entering his first season in the NBA...he's doing DAMN good. He's improving rapidly and brings assets the Thunder desperately need, rebounding and shot blocking. And hey, he isn't a terrible scorer either. Given time to develop and improve he will become more than dequate on the offensive end. Combine that with solid defense, good rebounding/shot blocking you have a pretty darn good player. This all for a guy that was drafted late first round.

[holeydonut]

I'm still wondering how he was trash-talking with SJax to draw the double-technical. You know it's tough to talk smack in another language, so he must be learning very quickly! Either that or KD has taught him a few "yo momma" jokes.

[wiff]

I was able to replay that interaction between ibaka and Sjax. On that possession serge was trying to stay with his man and Jackson tried to set a screen on ibaka to free up Wallace. Ibaka blew through Jackson like he was a 12 year old playing at the YMCA with a bunch of 40 year olds. I don't think Jackson liked the shoulder square in the chest very much and let ibaka know it. Considering ibaka is from a war torn country I'm pretty sure he laughs at wanna be thugs like Jackson.

[PerkinsFor3]

I was able to replay that interaction between ibaka and Sjax. On that possession serge was trying to stay with his man and Jackson tried to set a screen on ibaka to free up Wallace. Ibaka blew through Jackson like he was a 12 year old playing at the YMCA with a bunch of 40 year olds. I don't think Jackson liked the shoulder square in the chest very much and let ibaka know it. Considering ibaka is from a war torn country I'm pretty sure he laughs at wanna be thugs like Jackson.

Sasha Vujačić is from a war torn country. Do you think that makes him though?

[Fenix]

Sasha Vujačić is from a war torn country. Do you think that makes him though?

Is he? Is he really?

[PerkinsFor3]

Slovenia was just wise enough to leave early hahaha. My bad. (Shouldve know he's from Slovenia, everybody in your country can shoot lights out. **** hell... played on some court in Cheb(?) an Lubljana and it's crazy.)



Jaric then. He's though as nails, you dont wanna **** with him.

[TheOGJabroni]

I fully believe in not messing with something that is working. Right now, your team is on a roll. BUT, if your team were to struggle and Green shows no signs of improvement, I think you guys should start Ibaka over Green.

As much as Green's struggles as a PF have hurt OKC, he is clearly the better player at this point but I think it would suit Green to see how he fairs off the bench as a sixth man. I think he could be excellent. In the meantime, Ibaka would get a chance to see big minutes and if he can be good starter quality player down the road. He adds some toughness, defense, and rebounding...a few things Jeff Green lacks in his game, as a full time big man anyway.

Ibaka (30) / Collison (18)
Krstic (24) / Green (24)
Durant (42) / Green (6)
Sefolosha (30) / Harden (18)
Westbrook (36) / Maynor (12)

If the minutes structure was something like that, he would still see 30 mpg off the bench, but would add more balance to the starting lineup IMO. Just something to think about...

[TheOGJabroni]

Ultimately though, Durant needs to play 40 a night and he is a SF. Green will never see the time he deserves at his natural position on OKC. Move him before teams start to go a little sour on him. That's my opinion.

[slick_watts]

Ultimately though, Durant needs to play 40 a night and he is a SF. Green will never see the time he deserves at his natural position on OKC. Move him before teams start to go a little sour on him. That's my opinion.

Agreed. Although the more time Jeff loses and stinks the less teams will value him, the less we will get in return. If we don't trade him this deadline, for example, it just might be worth it to keep him through his rookie deal.