Oklahoma City Thunder: The Evolution Of Serge Ibaka

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka is one of the NBA’s most underrated players. His game continues to evolve, and now he’s established himself as far more than a defensive force.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka has always been renowned for his defensive presence and shot-blocking prowess. Over the span of his six-year NBA career he’s continued to develop his skills as a scorer, and if only his team were willing to have more faith in him the Thunder could be even better.

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Until Anthony Davis’ burst onto the scene with his freakish wingspan, Ibaka has been the NBA’s undisputed shot-blocking master and the sole defensive anchor for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He led the league in total blocks every year from 2010 to 2014 and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive 1st team for the last three seasons. Say what you will about Davis, Dwight Howard, or Joakim Noah, but Ibaka is as dominant as anyone when it comes to preventing his opponents from scoring in the paint.

I could go on and on about his ability to cut off lanes to the basket, his explosiveness and instincts when protecting the rim, and how the fact that he’s never made the All-Star team in his years of defensive excellence is a disgrace. But anyone who has had the fortune of watching Ibaka will know just how much of a force he is. If you haven’t, then watch below and you’ll see exactly what I mean. It’s quite simply one of the most dominant and intimidating performances you’ll see.

However, there’s far more to Ibaka’s talents than highlight reels, devastating blocks, and the fact he can dunk from further out than Michael Jordan and Dr J (seriously, he can). How his game has evolved and the way he continues to develop and expand his offensive arsenal is something that warrants far more respect.

If only Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks tried to incorporate Ibaka into his offensive game plan more, he’d make even more of a noticeable impact. Ibaka has got his work cut out for him though, when his teammates, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, are the NBA’s top two players in points per 36 minutes.

Regardless of Westbrook and Durant’s stellar talent at the offensive end, Ibaka has quietly been honing his skills and extending his range to become one of the best stretch-fours in the league. There are certainly plenty of self proclaimed stretch-fours in the league, but most of them just throw up the occasional three-pointer and offer no consistent benefit to their team as a shooter. Ibaka on the other hand, has serious talent and potential.

Dec 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Lakers forward Carlos Boozer (5) in the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

He, by no means, entered the league with a reliable mid-range game, and spent his first three years in the league locking down the paint on defense, hustling for rebounds and making most of his baskets from right under the basket (at least 40% of his shots were from within 3 feet during his first three seasons). Ibaka may have only produced just over 12 points per game during his first three years, but he excelled as a rebounder and defender, averaging 10.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per 36 minutes over those three seasons.

His incredible shot blocking (in particular the 2011-12 season in which he averaged 3.7 per game in only 27 minutes of playing time) has led to him currently ranking 8th all-time in career blocks per game (2.6). Now though, Serge Ibaka can do even more.

Nov 4, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) goes to take a shot as Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3) defends at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Oklahoma City 100-88. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s unfortunate to acknowledge that Ibaka has somewhat regressed (for now) in some areas since last year. His scoring has taken a minor drop of 0.4 points per game (now 14.7) which is obviously a fairly irrelevant difference, although his rebounding has fallen from 8.8 per game to just 7.2.

His decreased rebounding is partly due to the fact that he’s playing further away from the basket on offense now, which means there’s less opportunities for him to grab offensive boards (down from 2.8 to 2.1 per game). On the defensive end, the blame is at least partly Ibaka’s of course, but the increased role of Steven Adams (who’s playing 10 extra minutes a night from a year ago and averaging 10.7 rebounds per 36 minutes now) is a major factor.

Ibaka is still a solid rebounder though, so Adams taking some of the load from him is by no means a knock on him.

Nov 3, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) shoots over Brooklyn Nets center Jerome Jordan (9) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 116-85. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

After making only 2 three-pointers in his entire first three seasons in the league, Ibaka’s production and genuine ability to stretch the floor has grown exponentially. In his fourth and fifth seasons, he made 43 three-point field goals. A good improvement, right? Well, this year, after only 34 games, Ibaka has already made 50. For the stat lovers out there, that’s an increase of 2,500 percent. That’s pretty damn good to say the least.

It’s not like he’s just been taking way more shots, though. Ibaka’s gone from taking highly selective and rare shots (0.7 attempts and o.3 makes per game) from behind the arc at 35 percent efficiency, to now making 40% of his shots from deep and knocking down 1.5 a game. He’s even starting to heat up more than he has already, and has made 13 three-pointers in the Thunder’s last five games.

He moves well off the ball to find space rather than sitting and waiting behind the three-point line, and his elevation and high arcing jump shot make it very difficult for him to be stopped. Now that Ibaka takes 69.1 percent of his shots from at least 10 feet out (and is still converting just under 50% of them) and the fact he’s being so efficient from behind the arc speaks volumes about his dedication to improve.

Nov 26, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) makes a shot while being fouled by Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

If only his teammates weren’t so trigger happy all the time (cough, cough, Russell Westbrook), and Scott Brooks put more emphasis on utilizing Ibaka’s shooting ability, strong finishing inside and jump hook in the post, then he could really better his case to be an All-Star.

Ibaka only receives 12.6 shot attempts per game, so it’s no surprise his scoring output is being limited to 14.7 points per game. However, it’s clear to see just how much he’s evolved as an offensive weapon and the long distance skill set he’s acquired as a highly skilled power forward.

Hopefully his teammates and coach Brooks will give him the extra opportunities he deserves soon. Because not only will it improve the Oklahoma City Thunder by adding some diversity alongside Westbrook and Durant, but we’ll finally see Serge Ibaka’s full potential.