Is Serge Ibaka’s contribution of defense overshadowing his impressive performance on offense?
Sam Presti and the SuperSonics organization took a huge gamble when they selected Serge Ibaka with the 24th pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Despite freakish athleticism for a 6’10 power forward, some experts criticized the Congolese big man for his lack of fundamentals. Words like “raw,” “unpolished,” and “unaware” followed Ibaka to draft night. Luckily, Presti and his staff were unfazed by whispers of Ibaka’s “high-bust potential,” and the newly-named Thunder signed the PF to his rookie contract.
Seven years later, Ibaka has blossomed into one of the most imposing big men in the game.