You guys are lucky to get Serge Ibaka

Egg Nog · Post #1 » by **Egg Nog** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:20 pm

I typically follow the Raptors, but living in Vancouver I've always been a Sonics fan.

Just wanted to say you guys are lucky to have drafted Ibaka. I was surprised to be taken in the first round, so I guess someone actually caught on.

This guy is fast and highly athletic but doesn't rely on his athleticism to make great plays. There are not a lot of players his size with his kind of quickness. I am not sure how much of a scorer he is, but he finishes very well near the basket. He can rebound, block shots, and (surprisingly) I've heard he actually gets quite a few steals.

The biggest downside I might predict would be that in the NBA he'll probably pick up a lot more fouls than he would elsewhere, but hopefully that will be fixed with some playing time. He's still 18, so time is not a worry in this regard.

I can't wait to watch this guy play, and I sure as hell hope I get to see him play in Seattle. Cheers guys.

Big_Mac79 · Post #2 » by **Big_Mac79** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:24 pm

Thanks for the insight

derriko · Post #3 » by **derriko** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:31 pm

how does he compare to Sene? i read on draft express Ibaka has some range on his jumpshot, but potential wise are they about the same?

nwsports253 · Post #4 » by **nwsports253** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:03 pm

Ibaka is alot farther along offensivly then Sene.

AbdicatedReign · Post #5 » by **AbdicatedReign** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:47 pm

nwsports253 wrote:Ibaka is alot farther along offensivly then Sene.

So is Mark Madsen.

ssfan4life · Post #6 » by **ssfan4life** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:34 am

Ibaka has range out to the NBA 3 and he is far more athletic than Sene. I'm not sure when he started playing basketball, but I haven't heard any talk about him being a late comer to the game like Sene.

BrockEvil · Post #7 » by **BrockEvil** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:56 am

I still think we coulda gotten ibaka with the 32nd pick...which woulda been better

ps. this is my 1000th post :-)

nwsports253 · Post #8 » by **nwsports253** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:02 am

ssfan4life wrote:Ibaka has range out to the NBA 3 and he is far more athletic than Sene. I'm not sure when he started playing basketball, but I haven't heard any talk about him being a late comer to the game like Sene.

I got this from the Ibaka interview on king5.com, he said hes been playing since he was a little kid, and that both this parents played in Congo.

pr0wler · Post #9 » by **pr0wler** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:17 am

Any chance he plays for the Sonics this season I wonder? Or maybe next season perhaps. I like to see the young prospects play in a Sonics jersey even if it's for a few games.

ssfan4life · Post #10 » by **ssfan4life** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:42 am

I hope he plays for our SL team.

wiff · Post #11 » by **wiff** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:05 am

Look I know it is a Youtube clip and for all I know he could be 24 years old playing against really really tall 7th graders but he looks really good and has a very sound stroke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-6opHOfJJE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMP7pn6VNYQ&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo9cP0c_okE&feature=related

The last clip shows him with his shirt off and the dude is ripped. For a guy who is 6'10" and 18 year old I'm shocked at how big and cut up the kid is. The last clip also shows some nice turn around jumpers.

He is light years ahead of Sene when it come to his skill set.
This clip shows him in a hoops uniform at a young age.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pOqfoxfeOQ&NR=1

Looks like he held his own at the hoops summit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klGHxC0sdAA&feature=related

Here's one more clip just for fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZDgyAL7_gA&feature=related

I just hope to see this kid in Seattle eventually

Post #12 » by **bennith13** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:57 am

Just watching those clips Serge looks way better then Sene. Not even counting the competition he is playing against, if you just watch his fundamentals, his shooting form, and his footwork he looks way better. Hopefully is getting good coaching over there so in a few years he can come help the Seattle SuperSonics.

BrockEvil · Post #13 » by **BrockEvil** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:26 am

how much of a difference is there between developing in a division II euroleague than a division I euroleague

TheUrbanZealot · Post #14 » by **TheUrbanZealot** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:48 am

lol @ anyone comparing Serge to Sene. They aren't even remotely near the same player. Sene started playing basketball very late, and you can tell with his zero-refined offensive game. Sene can't dribble, can't catch a ball, has no fluidity offensively whatsoever.

Just by looking at Serge's clips, you can tell he's been playing a lot longer. He has a much more expansive offensive repertoire. He is much more athletic than Sene, has range to NBA 3, and has a nonstop motor. The guy has all of the tools you want. Now we just have to make sure he is developed and coached properly...

Post #15 » by **bennith13** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:48 am

Also learning english will be huge for his development in the NBA.

djthesonicsfan · Post #16 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:21 am

Raise your hand if you think Pajamas is just the right coach to develop Ibaka.

BernardC · Post #17 » by **BernardC** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:41 am

Is any part of his game NBA ready?
and, when is he expected to join the team, this season or next or the one after next?

I would love to see him contribute to the team right away, but it doesn't seem to be the case.

wiff · Post #18 » by **wiff** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:44 am

djthesonicsfan wrote:Raise your hand if you think Pajamas is just the right coach to develop Ibaka.

Oh come on DJ you know as well as anyone that PJ will be gone by 2010 when Ibanka is expected to come over.

So here is draft express's profile on Ibanka along with a current picture. I thought the kid was ripped before, this kid looks like a beast.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Serge-Ibaka-1302/

yearsago · Post #19 » by **yearsago** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:16 pm

Man

If this guy gets the right development overseas (and I think presti said he will have a hand in his development), He is going to be a Monster PF on the likes of Amare and Shawn Kemp

Badboy · Post #20 » by **Badboy** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 7:22 pm

I am a bulls fan and I just want to say that u guys have a very good player on your hands. I thought on talent alone kid is in the top 10 in this draft which says alot as this draft year was very good. He will need good coaching and game time.

Comparing him to other overseas players and he might remind people of Olajuwan when he was young and maybe that is where his potential truely is or a level lower like Garnett and Kemp. Those are just some of the comparisons out there for his game and he loves Garnett by the way and tries to model his game after his.

Ibaka is light years ahead of Sene as Sene has no offense and doesn't have Ibaka's quickness either. If I were you guys I would try to have him come over quickly though as the quicker you have him learning english and playing as much basketball as possible the quicker he'll be ready to play here.

Also with the value of the US dollar dropping in comparison to the euro there are some guys that are talking about prefer to not come over.

Congrats on a great draft pick.