Orlando Magic Daily
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Who is the Orlando Magic’s leader?

By Kenneth Oliver

Dec 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) and Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) celebrate Gorgons 3 point bucket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Amway Center. The Magic won 112-202. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) and Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) celebrate Gorgons 3 point bucket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Amway Center. The Magic won 112-202. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Serge Ibaka, Orlando Magic
Dec 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) reacts and celebrates against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka has all the signs of a franchise face.

Ibaka has been to the postseason five times with the Oklahoma City Thunder in his seven-year career. He leads the NBA in total blocked shots since 2009 and that number continues to grow in Orlando.

It is clear what Orlando wanted to establish as the team’s identity when they acquired him. Ibaka represents just that — a defensive presence.

Against the Los Angeles Lakers earlier last month, the Magic set a team record for blocked shots in a single quarter at nine, with Ibaka having four.

Ibaka took a leadership role in that situation, as he and Bismack Biyombo gathered the team together before tip off and told them to press up. The two shot blockers would take the lead at the rim.

Orlando is now giving him the opportunity to be a focal point on offense, something in which he desired while playing in Oklahoma City.

While Ibaka was labeled as being on the decline this past summer, his play this year suggests differently. His 3-point percentage is hovering near 40 percent and his near-16 points per game is a career high.

The Magic are using Ibaka in sets Oklahoma City never did before. The biggest change being — in the post. Ibaka posts up on 18.4 percent of possessions, according to NBA.com. Last year, he posted up on just 3.0 percent.

His ability to be effective in the post (0.86 points per possession on post-ups is good, not great) makes him near impossible to defend, something every star player possesses.

Ibaka is someone whom the Magic need to use as the roots to an identity. They will rely on heavily to make it to the postseason this season.

If Orlando views Ibaka as a key player in their rebuild, it would be wise to hand him the team and see where he can lead them.