RealGM

Good read.
Looks like we might almost have a player.
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http://www.newsok.com/scott-brooks-says ... tory_title[/url]

Nice positive article about Serge. When I saw him a few weeks back, the language barrier was quite evident in everyday actions/conversations. I would guess he'll have a pretty small role (if any) this season, but show some great flashes when he gets on the court.

If Ibaka is able to blocks shots, clean the glass, along with effort on the defensive side of the ball I think he will find minutes, because as of now there is no defensive presence in the middle.

DJ White showed he has a nice game but how big of a defensive force is he? Collison plays great position D but isn't a shot blocker. Krystic wants to shoot 12 foot jumpers all game. Green isn't long enough to be a defensive post presence.

Byron Mullens might be a guy who can play D but watching Summer league all the guy wanted to do was shoot.

Ibaka has a shot at real minutes if he can play hard D in the post, and be a shot blocking threat. He isn't going to get any plays called for him but he should be able to get some garbage buckets.

I'm curious to see how the minutes end up being split between the PF and C positions. Right Now Collison is out with an ankle sprain but i can't imagine he will lose his spot in the rotation.

C Krystic, Mullens
PF Green, Collison, White, Ibaka

I know both White and Ibaka are both D league eligible but I don't feel they brought Ibaka over to play him in the D league.

yeah I agree, I do not think Ibaka is going to DLeague, at least not at first. I think Byron is defiantly going there though. If Serge can Block shots, rebound and stay out of fould trouble, he could find himself playing quite a few (relatively) minutes.

I had a recent conversation with Sam Presti, and he indicated to me that Ibaka would be spending some time in Tulsa. I'd say he'll be there for at least a few weeks, and then may get the call up. Not sure about Mullens, though I'd say he could benefit from playing there as well. May as well start Ibaka at the 4 and Mullens at the 5 in the D-League to see how they progress.

Ibaka is intriguing, but if (big if) he remains healthy I think Etan Thomas will be getting the big man minutes behind Krstic.

It'd be safer to start Serge in the D-League where he can learn the nuances of USA basketball, and integrate more with the organization. No real need to rush him.

i would like to see him put it together. he is certinally one hell of a freak athletically thats for sure.

I love IBAKA, I bought this awesome bed that folds into a couch from there and got it for a great price. The Swedes have really set the bar high when it comes to home furnishings

Devilzsidewalk wrote:I love IBAKA, I bought this awesome bed that folds into a couch from there and got it for a great price. The Swedes have really set the bar high when it comes to home furnishings

That was quite a zinger! My sides are splitting from that one. (yawn)

He's a great physical specimen. But not a good basketball player yet. And we've seen a lot of those before. For every player like that to turn out fine, there's 9 others who didnt.