Three reasons why Serge Ibaka is invaluable to the Toronto Raptors

Leadership

Perhaps one of the more overlooked aspects of Serge Ibaka is his leadership. His willingness to help out teammates, young or old, whether it be on the court or off it is a testament to how great of a leader he is for the Toronto Raptors.

Undrafted rookie Terence Davis is having an impressive inaugural season, and he credits Ibaka for helping him get acclimated to life in the NBA, among other things. Ibaka is Davis’ “vet” and he has said that having Serge in his ear has made him clean up his diet. Serge also gives Davis advice about how to manage his body during the season. Whatever tips Ibaka is giving Davis, they seem to be working. The rook recently dropped a career-high 31 points against the Chicago Bulls, helping Toronto win its 11th straight game.

Ibaka is also a leader by how he carries himself on the floor. He is often seen communicating with his teammates throughout the course of a game, pointing and giving advice on where to be and how to adjust to opponent tactics and schemes. Being an on-court leader is so valuable, especially since the Raptors have a young bench. His leadership on the court has been helpful in Chris Boucher’s development. Learning behind Ibaka has proven to be beneficial for Boucher, as he has played better and better as the 2019-20 season has progressed.

Toronto’s coaching staff preaches hustle and energy to players, and Ibaka leads by example. Yes, he has been known to get feisty at times, not shy to scuffle with opponents when the heat of a moment reaches a boiling point. That’s Ibaka’s passion coming to the surface. In certain moments, that energy, that passion can be enough to sway momentum in Toronto’s favour.

Ibaka’s fun-loving personality, coupled with an unmistakable swag, oozes through Toronto’s lineup. His free-spirit and attractive attitude are contagious. Players on the Raptors constantly praise Ibaka’s leadership ability, which proves why he’s such a valuable asset to the team.

Raptors fans loved Terrence Ross when he was with the team, but Serge Ibaka has proven to be a far more impactful piece for the Raptors during his tenure with the club.