Draft Prospect: Serge Ibaka

[Pistons < Spurs]

I read somewhere that he told his agent that he is definitely staying in the draft this year, so I don't expect him to pull out.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Serge Ibaka

Serge had 12 points (5/11 FG, 0/2 3P), 8 rebounds and 2 blocks, although 5 turnovers as well, during 29 minutes of the first game of the third day, while he settled for 10 points (5/8 FG) and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes against Ukraine.

One of the positive things we’ve seen in Treviso from Ibaka is his willingness to mix it up inside and play off contact. He had gained a certain reputation among some people concerning his aggressiveness on the offensive end. His lack of polished low post skills and his ability to shoot jumpers, even with some fade-away moves, lead some people to believe that he was avoiding contact. In Treviso we’ve seen him going towards the basket and, if he didn’t have space to dunk, seek his rival’s body to get the upper-hand when it comes to finishing around the rim. Also, the few times he decided to play in the low post, he looked pretty physical.

More positive things came from the short-to-mid range area, from where he looks pretty reliable connecting on his high-released jumpers, sometimes launched after reverse moves. In the end, with his leaping ability, it’s pretty easy for him to gain enough balance in the air to stay accurate. On the negative side, he struggled putting the ball on the floor, being called for travelling several times as he moved his pivot foot before taking the first dribble. The good news is that, if he ends up staying in Spain the next season, he will have a private coach to work on individual skills, something his game is begging for. If he decides to stay in the draft, he looks like a realistic first round pick regardless of the rawness of his game.


http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...and-Four-2921/

[Mr. Body]

Just before the pasted section from that article, it mentions Ibaka had a private workout with the Sonics in which even his agents weren't allowed to attend... but that the Spurs were. Looks like the franchises will remain close.

It's worth checking out that article just for a picture of Ibaka. The guy's absolutely ripped.

[exstatic]

Just before the pasted section from that article, it mentions Ibaka had a private workout with the Sonics in which even his agents weren't allowed to attend... but that the Spurs were. Looks like the franchises will remain close.

It's worth checking out that article just for a picture of Ibaka. The guy's absolutely ripped.

Buzz Aldrin Forum

[Mr. Body]

Buzz Aldrin Forum

eh?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Buzz Aldrin Forum

The astronaut?

[Mr. Body]

Non Sequitor Forum?

[exstatic]

eh?

You're not the first one on the moon.

Serge Ibaka

Ibaka hasn’t been able to reproduce the superb impression he drew in the first day of the camp, but it makes a lot of sense when we consider how visibly tired he’s getting after an exhausting season for him. The schedule of the camp isn’t helping him either, as he played twice the second day, twice again in the third, while he had to go through a private workout with the Seattle SuperSonics during the lunch break (“private” gets all its significance here, as not even his agents were allowed to attend it—although the Spurs were). It’s no surprise that he didn’t play in the final day of the camp.
Draftexpress

Pretty funny that spurs and sonics are assisting one another...These 2 teams will probably be involved in trade come draft day. Also, 1 of these 2 (probabl sonics) will draft Ibaka..

[Mr. Body]

Mmkay. You're very clever.

[Marcus Bryant]

-Serge Ibaka will be keeping his name in the draft according to agent Andy Miller.

link

[tav1]

He wants to go in the second round, and I'd guess someone will grab a T-Wolves or Trailblazers pick to nab him.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

My guess is it's the Wolves who get him.

[Buddy Holly]

Maybe this is who the Spurs want with their 26th pick. Could be why they want to get another first round pick.

[timvp]

-Serge Ibaka is in the United States, working out for NBA teams, sources told DraftExpress. Citing exhaustion, Ibaka initially decided to head straight back home to Barcelona after the Reebok Eurocamp in Treviso, but has changed his mind and worked out Sunday for the Utah Jazz. He also has workouts scheduled with the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday and San Antonio Spurs on Monday, which will also be attended by representatives of the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Seattle Supersonics and New Orleans Hornets. Ibaka is expected to be drafted anywhere from 23 to the early portion of the second round, depending on how he’s viewed by teams. If taken in the first round, he will likely stay overseas for one or two more years, as his contract is extremely flexible.

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/

Damn it, not another draft-n-stash with an "extremely flexible" contract

Ibaka looks like he's a heck of an athlete but he probably needs two more years overseas and then two years in the D-League before he's ready. No way the Spurs have the time to waste a first rounder on him. By the time Ibaka's entering his prime, the window will have long since been closed.

[Blackjack]

Damn it, not another draft-n-stash with an "extremely flexible" contract

Ibaka looks like he's a heck of an athlete but he probably needs two more years overseas and then two years in the D-League before he's ready. No way the Spurs have the time to waste a first rounder on him. By the time Ibaka's entering his prime, the window will have long since been closed.

He'd only make sesnse to me if the Spurs end up aquiring another first rounder, or select him in the second round. Although, the Spurs might be looking at Ian as being their first-rounder this year.

If that's the case... Well, I'm not sure how many times I'm capable of shooting myself in the face.

[Tully365]

I don't even see this guy being drafted on mock drafts, which is insane.

I looked at a scouting video of him, and the guy looks like a young KG.

He is destroying the compe ion he is competing with in the video.

I was highly impressed with what I saw, and I definitely would not mind if the Spurs use their early 2nd of Ibaka.

In the video I saw of him on mynbadraft.com., some of the guys he's playing against look like they're 14 or 15 years old. I think if Mahinmi was in this years draft, he'd be thought of in the same way-- full of "potential." I have to admit though, Ibaka does have the physique of a Marvel Comics Superhero.

[Bartleby]

According to draftexpress he has range out to the 3 point line . . . interesting. Of course, he missed both of his three point attempts in the June 10 game.

[Marcus Bryant]

Maybe the FO is considering what it would do with an extra 1st rounder.

I hope.

Then again, if the Spurs' le hopes next season rest on a rookie selected with a low 1st round pick, they're screwed.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Then again, if the Spurs' le hopes next season rest on a rookie selected with a low 1st round pick, they're screwed.

+1


Not that I expect Ibaka to be available for the Spurs, but....

Ibaka's game, skill and body may not be matured enough to help the team this year ... or for the next few years. But that's probably the case with anyone you select this far down the draft order. Long term, he might be one of the better options if he falls to #26. And who knows, maybe he is able to give you a little bit of something now just from his energy and athleticism.

[SenorSpur]

+1


Not that I expect Ibaka to be available for the Spurs, but....

Ibaka's game, skill and body may not be matured enough to help the team this year ... or for the next few years. But that's probably the case with anyone you select this far down the draft order. Long term, he might be one of the better options if he falls to #26. And who knows, maybe he is able to give you a little bit of something now just from his energy and athleticism.

Unless the Spurs are able to fenagle the acquisition of another 1st round pick, I'd very surprised if they take a stab at Ibaka @ #26. They simply need players that are as close to NBA ready as possble. At that pick they have to resolve their existing scoring deficiencies and Ibaka, while athletic, needs more development.

[Marcus Bryant]

Unless the Spurs are able to fenagle the acquisition of another 1st round pick, I'd very surprised if they take a stab at Ibaka @ #26. They simply need players that are as close to NBA ready as possble. At that pick they have to resolve their existing scoring deficiencies and Ibaka, while athletic, needs more development.

I don't believe all of their draft picks need to be ready for the NBA today (or close to). Free agency is the place to go for immediate help. They already have a rookie big coming in next season anyways.

[Bartleby]

Exactly. I don't mind the Spurs drafting a project if it looks like the kid has a high ceiling (and this guy sounds like he could turn out to be a poor man's Amare in a few years). I just hope that they do so only if they are damn sure he won't pull a Splitter.

[jag]

Damn it, not another draft-n-stash with an "extremely flexible" contract

Ibaka looks like he's a heck of an athlete but he probably needs two more years overseas and then two years in the D-League before he's ready. No way the Spurs have the time to waste a first rounder on him. By the time Ibaka's entering his prime, the window will have long since been closed.

Wow, i didn't know he was going to need this much work. Thought maybe he could bounce back and forth from the Toros to the Spurs for a season...didn't think he needed 4 years.

This puts a damper on me wanting the Spurs to draft this guy.

[SenorSpur]

I don't believe all of their draft picks need to be ready for the NBA today (or close to). Free agency is the place to go for immediate help. They already have a rookie big coming in next season anyways.

So would you be OK if, for example, they took Ibaka @ #26, and address the swingman spot in the 2nd round with, say a guy like Kyle Weaver, @ #45?

[Marcus Bryant]

So would you be OK if, for example, they took Ibaka @ #26, and address the swingman spot in the 2nd round with, say a guy like Kyle Weaver, @ #45?

Sure, because they wouldn't be counting on that pick to crack the rotation next year. That's what free agency is for.