How Serge Ibaka improves the LA Clippers
With the Clippers bidding farewell to forwards Harrell and Green, luring Serge Ibaka out of Toronto was critical to sustaining the second unit’s prosperity.
The 31-year-old first profited as a substitute north of the border, where his three-point accuracy (35.8 percent in 228 games) and defensive prestige formed Toronto into one of the most fearsome ‘bench mobs’ in the NBA.
Ibaka will travel to Los Angeles with the Championship pedigree and acumen that the Clippers have sought after, and will be expected to be a vocal leader for the squad on and off the court.
But perhaps Ibaka’s largest asset for Lue will be his versatility, where he can seamlessly fit into a multitude of units to counter the strengths of opposing teams.
The 2019 NBA Champion’s ability to space the floor will grant Ibaka playing time next to starting center Ivica Zubac, who will be entrusted with a larger role after the departures of Harrell and Green.
Ibaka and Zubac will form an unnerving frontcourt for opposition offenses, where they can match the size of squads choosing to go large. This tandem promises to neutralize the title-favorite Los Angeles Lakers’ interior, who recently acquired the 6’11” Marc Gasol to pair with Anthony Davis, signaling their continuation of the big lineups that steamrolled through the competition last term.
The Congo native’s floor-spacing can also be the fulcrum for the Clipper’s ‘small-ball’ unit, providing Lue with another wrinkle to his playbook.
At center, Ibaka will activate the Clipper’s five-out motion offense, upgrading the role previously held by Green.
While shooting an almost identical percentage as Green from beyond the arc last season, Ibaka has the opportunity to transform the ‘death lineup’ into a relentless defense. Matched with Leonard, George, and Beverley, all players who have been named to the NBA’s All-Defense First Team, Ibaka’s lateral quickness, switching capabilities and shot-blocking expertise will form the pillars of a lockdown unit that promise to find success on both sides of the basketball.