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Serge Ibaka is settling in with Raptors

By Nam Tran

Jan 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) defends during the third quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Orlando Magic won 114-113. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) defends during the third quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Orlando Magic won 114-113. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Masai Ujiri has preached the importance of chemistry since he’s been the Raptors GM. How is Ibaka fitting in?

Newly acquired Serge Ibaka is a talented player. He is a lockdown defender, he hustles and has heart, and he can shoot (and make) the three-point shot. But none of this will matter if he doesn’t fit into the Toronto Raptors’ system and/or doesn’t have chemistry with the current players. So what aspects of Ibaka’s personality and game will strengthen the Raptors? According to members of the team, who spoke to The Toronto Star, everything about Ibaka will help the team out.

Kyle Lowry said that Ibaka’s 38.8 percent three-point shooting (current season average) will help open the floor up and allow players to attack the basket. Per The Star:

"“It gives us a chance to space the floor out with him and Pat (Patterson) out there at the same time, it gives us a chance to open the floor up for DeMar (DeRozan) to drive and get in the paint, get some open looks and layups,” Lowry said."

Feb 3, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) reacts after scoring during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) reacts after scoring during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

DeRozan also shared the same sentiment as Lowry, but included some high praise for Ibaka, saying that the Raptors haven’t had a power forward with this high a skillset since Chris Bosh. Per The Star:

"“His capability (to) protect the rim, space the floor, change the game in many ways with the skill set (he has is) something we’ve been missing in that four spot since Chris Bosh left,” DeRozan said. “You look around the league and, sure, he’s been known to be a shot blocker (but) the main thing he’ll do now is stretch out the floor. Everything he can do is definitely something we need.”"

Lowry and DeRozan’s assessment of their new teammate is correct. Ibaka’s ability to shoot from long distance will force big defenders to move away from the basket and leave open spaces for players like Norman Powell and DeRozan to drive the lane for easy buckets. As well, his great defense at and around the rim can potentially lead to more fast breaks and open looks at the rim. However, the most important thing that Ibaka will offer the Raptors is his experience.

Over All-Star Weekend, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James chimed in on the Raptors acquisition of Ibaka. James, who knows Ibaka quite well as they battled each other in the 2012 NBA Finals as well as for many years in the regular season, said that the big man will help out the Raptors a lot with his experience, especially his “playoff experience.” James also said that Ibaka’s toughness, rebounding, and shot-blocking will only make the team better.

The playoffs are almost here

The furthest the Lowry-DeRozan era Raptors have gone in the playoffs is the Eastern Conference finals (last season), and they have only been there once. Other years, they either didn’t make it into the playoffs or didn’t get past the first round. Ibaka, on the other hand, has been to the NBA Finals once and been to the Western Conference Finals three times, so his knowledge of the playoffs will absolutely help out the Raptors.

But Ibaka isn’t just a good fit with the team on the court. According to Raptors’ assistant coach Rex Kalamian, who was an assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2009-2015, Ibaka has the personality and lifestyle that matches up with the players too. The assistant coach said that the former blocks’ leader is a family man and isn’t “boisterous.” Kalamian added that Ibaka is a hard worker and his “contagious” work ethic will be positive for the Raptors.

From everything that is said above, it would seem that Ibaka is the perfect missing puzzle piece. But can his addition fix the Raptors’ flaws and get them to the NBA Finals? Rapture nation, let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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