LA Clippers: Serge Ibaka Starting is the Right Move
Serge Ibaka has been starting for the LA Clippers in the preseason. That will be a good move going into the regular season.
When the LA Clippers signed Serge Ibaka, the immediate assumption for many, myself included, was that he’d be signed to play backup behind Ivica Zubac. But in the preseason, we’ve seen the exact opposite.
Other than the Jazz game, in which Serge didn’t play at all, Ibaka has taken the starting role and Zubac has played with the reserves.
While this is a bit unexpected, it’s my opinion that this is the best decision as we move into the regular season. Ibaka’s a great fit with the starters, and Zu – if he accepts the role, which it seems like he is – can be the defensive anchor of the second team.
On the Ibaka front, he provides one thing that Zu can’t: spacing. A lineup of Beverley/George/Kawhi/Morris/Ibaka lets Leonard or PG attack the basket or work in the midrange, while being surrounded by four players who shoot in the high 30s or better from 3.
Serge’s pick and pop game will pair nicely with the ballhandlers on the team, and it won’t sacrifice much on the defensive end. Ibaka may not be quite the rim protector that Zu is, but he’s no slouch on that end of the court.
Meanwhile, Zubac can flex his muscles on defense with the reserves, and they will certainly need him to. In the preseason, we’ve seen a lineup of Reggie, Lou and Kennard all playing together. That’s a disaster defensively, and not one that Zubac can totally mitigate.
But he’s our best shot at turning that lineup from a total disaster into just very bad on the defensive end. And on offense, his ability in the pick and roll game will pair nicely with Lou Williams as the primary ballhandler.
With Zu on the floor, the bench will have a legit young 7 footer who can play defense and finish around the rim – something it was sorely missing last season.
Next. Three key takeaways from the LA Clippers’ first two preseason games. dark
What are your thoughts? Are you happy with Ibaka on the starters, or would you rather see Zu keep his spot? Let us know on social media, and keep up to date with all things LA Clippers here on Clipperholics.