One Drake lyric for every player on the Toronto Raptors
By Lior Kozai
Serge Ibaka
"“Bank account statement just look like I’m ready for early retirement” (The Language)"
Serge Ibaka is just 29 years old, but he peaked athletically very early in his NBA career. His blocks per game average has declined every year since he was 22, aside from last year, when it remained about the same as the prior season.
He’s still a quality rotation player and was effective (albeit inconsistent) in the postseason. He just doesn’t have the same quickness and bounce that made him a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Oklahoma City.
According to Spotrac, Ibaka will have made a total of about $120 million after next season, including $23.2 million in the upcoming year. Just like the global ambassador, Ibaka’s bank account statements are looking mighty fine.
No one’s pushing Ibaka, the beloved Mafuzzy Chef, out the door here. But would it really surprise you if he retired in his early 30s, perhaps after playing just a few more seasons?
He’s funny, charismatic, and seems to have a promising media (or cooking) career ahead of him after he hangs up the sneakers for good. And by the looks of his many social media posts, he’s been making the most out of his summer vacation.
Ibaka will have plenty of fun in the post-title years to come, whether it’s in the NBA or in the Bahamas after retiring early.