Moments into the 1st round of the 2016 NBA draft, Oklahoma City Thunder big man Serge Ibaka has been traded to the Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the 18th pick.
Serge Ibaka was drafted by the Thunder in the 2008 draft and has been apart of the successful core of the team’s success. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge essentially in most people’s eyes were considered a big 3, and were supposed to have won championships together. Serge made his name being a defensive presence in the paint and evoluntionizing his game into becoming one of the best midrange pick & pop shooters in the entire league. Serge has finished top 5 in blocks each of the last 5 NBA seasons, with 1 season of averaging over 3 blocks per game. This past season he only averaged 1.9. With the uprise of Steven Adams and Enes Kanter, plus when you throw Dion Waiters in the mix they are just not enough shots to go around.
Ibaka’s game has been on a downside every year since 2012 as his rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentages are the lowest since his rookie season. Not to mention he’s only averaging 12ppg.
Serge’s presence were missed and needed the most during the 2014 western conference finals when he was dealing with a hamstring injury and nobody could stop Tony Parker from getting to the paint and scoring.
This past playoffs, the Thunder were only 1 game away from knocking off the Golden State Warriors and clinching an NBA finals berth. Their most successful lineup was when they featured Ibaka playing the center position.
Serge is only 26 years old so he has a at least 5 more great years ahead of himself. Being in Orlando he should be able to attempt more shots and showcase his abilities as playing in a bigger role and being a focal point in a offense.
