Ibaka's minutes

[Neelyboy]

I know Collison is a very good role player but is there any reason why Ibaka isn't consistently getting >30 or 35 minutes? And will he start to get more minutes anytime soon? I'm a fan of Ibaka and am considering trading for him in my fantasy basketball league also.

[slick_watts]

Serge struggled his first few games against the jump shooting big guys, and Brooks has been playing KD at PF more. I expect him to average about 30 min a game over the course of the season. He's played better the last two games, he didn't play much against Phoenix because the starters got rest with the lead.

[wizkid27]

I'll go even further to say that between Collison playing so well and Durant shifting to the 4 in some sets, Serge is the 3rd best PF on our team right now. That's why he's not getting minutes.

The biggest positive I've seen at this point is his contract potentially being smaller in the future...

[IanChang]

I've followed every game of the Thunder this season and I see Ibaka really does damage to this team on the defensive end, except for some ocasional blocks. Besides, without his jump shot he's barely useful for the half court offense bacause he neither sets good screen nor makes any post move, even Perkins and Nazr play more efficiently near the basket.

I'm really disappointed he doesn't improve his BBIQ and skills at all during the lockout, the weakest spot of the Thunder is PF and I don't expect Ibaka to be the solution in near future from what I've seen him play so far.

[Neelyboy]

Well this doesn't sound good haha. I saw that Ibaka developed a respectable mid-range game last year...how is that + his ELITE blocking ability not enough for him to play more? IMO Perk + Ibaka do not coexist well at all, I think they need a center like Monroe or someone that is more flexible and can do more than defend/rebound.

[wizkid27]

I think the Serge from last year (hitting mid range jumpers, running the floor, blocking shots) actually goes okay with Perk as long as you have a shooter (instead of Thabo) at the 2. Perkins is a great on the ball defender in the post and Serge's shot blocking on the weak side really compliments that and covers up some other weaknesses. Just Perkins was injured/out of shape last season and Serge has been unimpressive this year. Not saying it's the ideal fit, but it isn't awful...