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I know this might seem far-fetched, but does anyone else see Ibaka becoming a player like Garnett? His feel for the game, especially offensively has come so far in just a year and a half. Remember when slick_watts said Ibaka couldn't pass? Well now he can and he even makes some nice passes and doesn't panic with the ball.

His dribble has gotten better as well, he can put the ball on the ground for 1 or 2 dribbles. He has a nice fadeaway jumper, and some decent post moves. He needs to continue to work on that, but I see no reason why this kid can't be a stud offensive player. I even think down the road we can run our offense through him.

Defensively he is a beast, but still needs to work on man-2-man Defense. He is stronger than Garnett at the same age, so why can't he become Garnett's equal as a man defender? He is a much better weak side shot blocker, and a better rebounder at the same age as well.

Am I a massive homer right now, or is there some truth to this?

You're a massive homer. There was some talk about this on Daily Thunder today, and I don't see the comparison outside of the fact that they could both shoot the ball. Garnett started as a SF, his handle was so good, he made terrific decisions at the high post, and the Wolves ran the offense through him starting in his second year.

Ibaka still can't really dribble well, and his 1.7% AST percentage is in line with other offensively challenged big guys like Dalembert, Ratliff, Haywood, etc. He's improved there but running the offense through him? Maybe as a post up / face up guy and he can pass out if / when he is doubled. But not a high post, point forward type of deal that made Garnett a top five passing big of all time.

Defensively? Yeah if he gets stronger and continues to work he can be a great defender, maybe DPOY material

But I don't see it offensively. He's still mostly a spot up shooter / clean up guy offensively, with the occasional face up move / fade away in the post. Which doesn't mean he can't develop into a good offensive player, just not the total package like Garnett was.

slick_watts wrote:He's still mostly a spot up shooter / clean up guy offensively, with the occasional face up move / fade away in the post. Which doesn't mean he can't develop into a good offensive player, just not the total package like Garnett was.

This. As far as Ibaka is concerned, I would rather see him try to pattern his game to the likes of Kevin McHale than Garnett. I know he'll never be that good, but that type of play seems like it would suit him well.

He will never be as good as Garnett offensively.

He will probably be a better off the ball defender than Garnett and probably won't ever be as good on the ball though

Garnett has more ball handling skills, post moves and aggressiveness.