Serge Ibaka: 3 reasons the Clippers need the center back

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Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Los Angeles Clippers jump for the tip-off at Staples Center on March 11, 2021. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

No. 3 reason the LA Clippers need to re-sign Serge Ibaka: He’s still a very good rebounder

Serge Ibaka only averaged 6.7 rebounds per game this year, but again, it’s not fair to judge those numbers in a year when he missed so much time.

The last two seasons he played 55+ games, he averaged over 8 per game. This season, he averaged the least amount of minutes per contest since his rookie year (23.3).

If he comes back healthy next year, he’ll be fresher and he’ll be able to go more minutes and be more valuable in terms of his rebounding.

In Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs this year, he collected four rebounds in under 13 minutes. If he’s in the game more often, he can be a force on the boards.

He averaged 10.4 rebounds per 36 minutes, and he averages over seven boards per game in his career.

It’s not easy to find players who have played 12 years in this league, won a championship, and averaged 12.5 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, and two blocks per game.

The Clippers should want him back next year, and do whatever they can to have him pick up his option.

Next. Reggie Jackson gives Clippers fans hope in loss. dark

There are two other Clipper big men in DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson who may not be back next year, clearing the way for Ibaka to potentially have the chance to play a lot of minutes and have a lot of success.

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