Ibaka disgruntled in his role in OKC

[#1P4P]

If the argument is that he lacks offensive skills... DeAndre Jordan averages double digits. Ibaka has much more offensive skill than DeAndre; he can have a bigger impact than what DJ has, if he were in the right situation.

Whether it's the coaching staff or Ibaka, the biggest issue is that he's been typecast as a 4 and the position, in general, has been marginalized into a prop in this spacing obsessed era (and will continue to be until Griffin's/Green's start popping up). Unless he develops the handles/passing to fulfill that role, Ibaka is going to suffer from the marginalization of the 4.

I'm unsure of his strength, but he doesn't lack the size or rim protecting ability to play the 5. He's  going to have to be like Horford and embrace the 5 if he's going to thrive and reach his potential in today's NBA.

[Endless Paradise]

If the argument is that he lacks offensive skills... DeAndre Jordan averages double digits. Ibaka has much more offensive skill than DeAndre; he can have a bigger impact than what DJ has, if he were in the right situation.

Whether it's the coaching staff or Ibaka, the biggest issue is that he's been typecast as a 4 and the position, in general, has been marginalized into a prop in this spacing obsessed era (and will continue to be until Griffin's/Green's start popping up). Unless he develops the handles/passing to fulfill that role, Ibaka is going to suffer from the marginalization of the 4.

I'm unsure of his strength, but he doesn't lack the size or rim protecting ability to play the 5. He's  going to have to be like Horford and embrace the 5 if he's going to thrive and reach his potential in today's NBA.

To be fair, DeAndre Jordan is FAR stronger and much more athletic. Ibaka can't play the 5 full-time because he's not actually that physical; he'd wear down over time, especially given his recent injury history (the calf in the 2014 playoffs, the hamstring the summer following that, the knee surgery last year). His poor rebounding isn't because, as some like to suggest, Westbrook is stealing his boards (though that certainly plays a role); he just struggles playing through contact. He's much more of a finesse big than people realize. The fact that he's such a good rim protector is what makes people think otherwise as far as his physicality.

[Vox_Populi]

I think what's more interesting is that Ibaka doesn't look like what he used to on defense either, barring a few moments. But maybe I'm wrong, the rim protection stats still love him.

[Endless Paradise]

I think what's more interesting is that Ibaka doesn't look like what he used to on defense either, barring a few moments.

This goes back to what I said before about how it was obvious that Ibaka still hadn't fully recovered from his knee surgery.

Part of it was the new defensive scheme, but part of it was also just the lack of energy he was showing on that end. He's been much better defensively in the past few months.

[Tr1boy]

I used to be an Ibaka fan in the past. But he has not progressed in the last 2 years

For the mavs pick and few early 2nds I would be OK to bring him in. 

But not for the Nets pick

[Denis998]

I think this latest revelation of Ibaka's discontent is a strong indicator of the KD to Boston theory.

[#1P4P]

If the argument is that he lacks offensive skills... DeAndre Jordan averages double digits. Ibaka has much more offensive skill than DeAndre; he can have a bigger impact than what DJ has, if he were in the right situation.

Whether it's the coaching staff or Ibaka, the biggest issue is that he's been typecast as a 4 and the position, in general, has been marginalized into a prop in this spacing obsessed era (and will continue to be until Griffin's/Green's start popping up). Unless he develops the handles/passing to fulfill that role, Ibaka is going to suffer from the marginalization of the 4.

I'm unsure of his strength, but he doesn't lack the size or rim protecting ability to play the 5. He's  going to have to be like Horford and embrace the 5 if he's going to thrive and reach his potential in today's NBA.

To be fair, DeAndre Jordan is FAR stronger and much more athletic. Ibaka can't play the 5 full-time because he's not actually that physical; he'd wear down over time, especially given his recent injury history (the calf in the 2014 playoffs, the hamstring the summer following that, the knee surgery last year). His poor rebounding isn't because, as some like to suggest, Westbrook is stealing his boards (though that certainly plays a role); he just struggles playing through contact. He's much more of a finesse big than people realize. The fact that he's such a good rim protector is what makes people think otherwise as far as his physicality.

Since you don't project him as a 5 and he lacks the skills to be a modern 4. Do you think he's reached his ceiling?

I think that his skillset and athleticism can allow him to become a Horford/Jordan hybrid. To reach that potential though, he's going to have to be able to anchor a defense either as a 5 or, at best, having an Olynyk to guard 5s and stretch the floor...

[SHAQATTACK]

Basically Westbrooke hogs the ball too much , not enough guys getting the offensive feel for their game.

[jpotter33]

I'd love Ibaka for us as a smaller 5, but I'm not giving up the Brooklyn pick for him, which I'm fairly certain they'd want.

If KD leaves, though, you'd expect them to start to blow it up before Russell and Ibaka do the same thing to them, so he might come cheaper at that point.

[Endless Paradise]

If the argument is that he lacks offensive skills... DeAndre Jordan averages double digits. Ibaka has much more offensive skill than DeAndre; he can have a bigger impact than what DJ has, if he were in the right situation.

Whether it's the coaching staff or Ibaka, the biggest issue is that he's been typecast as a 4 and the position, in general, has been marginalized into a prop in this spacing obsessed era (and will continue to be until Griffin's/Green's start popping up). Unless he develops the handles/passing to fulfill that role, Ibaka is going to suffer from the marginalization of the 4.

I'm unsure of his strength, but he doesn't lack the size or rim protecting ability to play the 5. He's  going to have to be like Horford and embrace the 5 if he's going to thrive and reach his potential in today's NBA.

To be fair, DeAndre Jordan is FAR stronger and much more athletic. Ibaka can't play the 5 full-time because he's not actually that physical; he'd wear down over time, especially given his recent injury history (the calf in the 2014 playoffs, the hamstring the summer following that, the knee surgery last year). His poor rebounding isn't because, as some like to suggest, Westbrook is stealing his boards (though that certainly plays a role); he just struggles playing through contact. He's much more of a finesse big than people realize. The fact that he's such a good rim protector is what makes people think otherwise as far as his physicality.

Since you don't project him as a 5 and he lacks the skills to be a modern 4. Do you think he's reached his ceiling?

I think that his skillset and athleticism can allow him to become a Horford/Jordan hybrid. To reach that potential though, he's going to have to be able to anchor a defense either as a 5 or, at best, having an Olynyk to guard 5s and stretch the floor...

He can be a 5. He just needs more weight/strength to be a full-time 5.

[Who]

I'd love Ibaka for us as a smaller 5, but I'm not giving up the Brooklyn pick for him, which I'm fairly certain they'd want.

If KD leaves, though, you'd expect them to start to blow it up before Russell and Ibaka do the same thing to them, so he might come cheaper at that point.

Hmm .... I think I'd give up the Brooklyn pick for Ibaka if it is not top 2.

Not sure there is anyone I like enough to choose ahead of Ibaka from that point onwards.

[mr. dee]

Its funny how the bench are playing well without KD and Westbrook. They are giving spurs a hell tonight

[max215]

AB for Ibaka makes sense for both sides, and I've been saying it for a while now.