Toronto Raptors: End Of Year Report Cards

Serge Ibaka

The 2018-2019 season was one of the best in Serge Ibaka’s career. Ibaka averaged 15 points along with 8.1 rebounds per game. At 29 years of age, he is showing no signs of slowing down.

Ibaka deserves a lot of credit for being a plug-and-play guy. Toronto can play him as a starter, as a power forward, or a center. Throughout both the regular season and playoffs Ibaka was unselfish, thriving in any role the Raptors needed him to play.

Many would consider Kyle Lowry the “heart and soul” of the Toronto Raptors. However, Serge Ibaka has to be a close second.

Serge Ibaka is the ultimate teammate. He put his body on the line for his team in 74 regular season games and 24 games in the Postseason. When the Raptors needed inspiration he always lit the fire.

To be a championship caliber team you need guys who go beyond the stat sheet. You need guys who wear their heart on their sleeves and are constantly full of energy. For the Toronto Raptors, Ibaka is that guy.

During Toronto’s Finals run, Ibaka helped carry the load for his fellow reserves. At a time where Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell were struggling Ibaka carried the “bench mob” on his back.

When the Raptors faced adversity in round two whose energy kept them inspired? That’s right, it was Serge Ibaka. Without Ibaka’s huge performances to close out that series it is entirely possible that the Raptors do not make the Finals.

It is not often that a player as emotionally charged as Ibaka receives positive attention. Sometimes these players would be labeled as “cocky” or “full of themselves.” However, Ibaka’s teammates thrive on his swagger.

There were, of course, times this season when Ibaka was less than perfect. However, he does not always need to be perfect for the Toronto Raptors to succeed. Toronto needs him to be Serge Ibaka: the high energy guy who despite his stats, always plays with contagious energy and fire.

With the offseason on the horizon, this is not the last we will see of “Ma Fuzzy Chef.” Raptors fans will continue to be entertained by Serge’s antics on the court for, at least, one more season and off the court via his YouTube show.

Satisfying expectations: 9/10

Production relative to contract: 8/10 

Overall output: 8.5/10 

Total score: 25.5/30 

Letter Grade: A-