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Serge Ibaka excited, focused for new opportunity

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) reacts as he comes to the bench during a break in the action against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Oklahoma City defeated Toronto 119-100. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) reacts as he comes to the bench during a break in the action against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Oklahoma City defeated Toronto 119-100. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Serge Ibaka felt excited and focused for a new opportunity in a new city with the Orlando Magic. An opportunity seven years in the making.

Serge Ibaka woke up last Friday with tons of messages on his phone and little idea why.

He was in Paris and his focus was hardly on the NBA or the NBA Draft after the Oklahoma City Thunder made their run to within a game of the NBA Finals. Ibaka had gone through a difficult season at least statistically. He had struggled to find his role and seemed pushed to the side as Steven Adams emerged next to him.

Despite his unicorn ability to defend every position on the floor and be a top-notch rim protector, and despite coming up big for Oklahoma City in getting that 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals and toppling the vaunted San Antonio Spurs in the round before, Ibaka had become expendable.

And so it was the Thunder sent him to the Magic, getting a sizable haul in return of Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis.

This all occurred while Ibaka slept in Paris. When he woke up he discovered the news and the first message was one of general excitement.

While the deal on this side of the Atlantic Ocean faced dissection and criticism, all Ibaka saw was opportunity. A chance to spread his wings and start new with everything on the table for him and his career.

“I’m very excited to grow here,” Serge Ibaka said. “I know it’s a new challenge for me and my life. At the moment that I need. I’m here, I’m ready to work and I can’t wait.”

This is truly a big opportunity for the seven-year veteran who has never used more than 20 percent of possessions while playing for Oklahoma City. This will be a truly different experience. Without a dominant player, Ibaka will become more of a focal point, needing to provide both his stellar defense and some offensive punch.

Last year, at least statistically, was not a strong year for him. He averaged 12.6 points per game and shot 47.9 percent from the floor. His 3-point percentage dipped to 32.6 percent. His blocks dropped for the fourth straight year to 1.9 per game, although Ibaka said he was still effective as a rim protector and blocks are not a complete measure of his rim protection.

This team with its still unformed nucleus and growing players will be an opportunity for him to lead and grow as a player.

Ibaka said he will not change his approach this season with the anticipation of a bigger role. Rather whether he succeeds will be on the accumulation of years of hard work.

“I’ve been working for the last seven years for today,” Ibaka said. “Sometimes, it was hard. In life sometimes we go somewhere, it is hard. I’m working for myself, my family, my future. I’ve been working already. I’m ready.”

For the Magic’s part, Ibaka seemed to check all the boxes they wanted to fill in this offseason. Magic coach Frank Vogel said the team was looking for more defensive ability, more perimeter shooting, veteran presence and toughness. Judging by who the Magic are reported to be chasing in free agents, these needs certainly ring true.

Ibaka fits a lot of those boxes. And a little bit more.

“We plan on taking advantage of his 3-point shooting,” Vogel said. “But also exploring the rest of his game — in the post, in the dunker’s spot, around the offensive glass, rolls to the basket, running the floor. He was limited in the opportunities that he had with the way Oklahoma City play. We think this is an opportunity for his game to really grow on the offensive end.”

He has some familiarity with Rob Hennigan already. As Ibaka met with the Magic brass for the first time Wednesday after landing in Orlando (it looked like Ibaka was wearing an Orlando hat bought at the airport during his introductory press conference), he said it felt like meeting with Hennigan was like meeting with an old friend rather than his general manager. That trust has already been developed and the people within the organization helped tell him this was a good place.

This is a new opportunity for Ibaka and a bit of a new start for the Magic. A new, clearer defensive mentality exists now. The Magic had played the Thunder tough twice last year, including that triple overtime game, and that stood out to Ibaka as he prepares to meet his new teammates.

Ibaka is taking the leadership role seriously too. He said he hopes to bring some of the mentality and culture from Oklahoma City over to help the Magic improve.

The single-minded goal now is making the Playoffs. Ibaka mentioned it unprompted several times during his press conference.

“I feel like my first year again in the league, that excited,” Ibaka said. “I’m looking for a new challenge. I know it’s not going to be easy, but that’s how we become great. When you get the opportunity to beat the challenge in front of you. I’m so happy to be here. It’s a young team, we’re hungry. My goal with this team is to make the Playoffs in the next season that is coming.”