Ibaka hitting full stride in central casting
It’s safe to say the Orlando Magic would love to take a mulligan on the team’s 2016 Serge Ibaka acquisition from Oklahoma City.
The Magic surrendered future all-star Victor Oladipo and the rights to Domantas Sabonis, who has become one of the best reserves in the NBA in the deal. The Thunder later also dealt that duo but got Paul George in return. But Orlando only got 56 games out of Ibaka before trading him to the Toronto Raptors for Terrence Ross and a draft pick that has was dealt away in the summer of 2017 for a future protected pick.
Ibaka averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Magic but the fit didn’t work, in large part because Ibaka spent a career-high 95 per cent of his time at power forward.
With Ibaka’s production improving significantly compared to his Orlando tenure or earlier Toronto work, the big man is far more suited to playing centre.
Ibaka has scored 10 or more points in 15 straight games — one of the longest streaks of his career. His field goal percentage has risen nearly 10 per cent from last year and he is getting to the free throw line far more frequently. Ibaka also blocked four shots on Saturday against Chicago, a total he has bested only twice as a Raptor. And he’s ninth in the NBA in plus/minus.
Ibaka says he is getting the ball in better spots, helping him become more efficient on offence this year.
“I think as a team we (are playing) better,” Ibaka said. “Moving the ball and also my teammates are doing a better job to find me when I’m open, give me that confidence. They trust me, I can make those plays (with the ball).”
But, the four-time NBA blocked shots leader still prefers to break out some highlight reel rejections to scoring.
“I like blocking shots better,” Ibaka said, before noting how observers seem to prioritize scoring and offensive prowess.
The Raptors appear to have dodged some injury bullets.
Though all-star point guard Kyle Lowry did not go through practice on Monday after suffering an ankle injury in Chicago, it was more to give him some rest following a back-to-back set that included an overtime game and 110 minutes over three games and four nights (the entire team got Sunday off to recuperate).
Lowry is expected to face the Magic on Tuesday. Sophomore forward OG Anunoby did practise, wearing a white wrap over his sore right wrist and also is expected to suit up.
“He was OK. Not great, but OK and the word is that there is a possibility that he might play,” head coach Nick Nurse said of Anunoby.
Forward C.J. Miles has missed three straight due to a groin issue but was moving well at practice.
“Looks good. I think he’s cleared to go,” Nurse said of Miles, “but, again, not 100 per cent. He’ll probably need one more final (workout to prove he can play, which will come at shootaround on Tuesday morning). Looks OK to me though.”
Kawhi Leonard will likely play against the Magic, but not against the Atlanta Hawks the next night.
Injuries have tested Toronto’s depth, but also given some of the younger players a chance to see some time. The Raptors used all 12 dressed players on Saturday night.
Nurse is clear on what he wants to see from them.
“When they come into the game, whether it’s 20 up, 20 down, or whether it’s the first drill in practice in Florida at 11 o’clock, there isn’t any time for those guys not to be ready, show some toughness, ready to play defence, play hard,” Nurse said
“They’re trying to survive in this league, first and foremost. Improve each and every day and every opportunity, (prove) that they belong here,” he said.
“This is the NBA, not junior high or whatever. These guys have to go out there and prove themselves all the time.”
Jordan Loyd might be a point guard, but he can get way up and has already had a few jaw-dropping jams for Raptors 905 this year. Still Delon Wright picked Norman Powell as the best dunker on the Raptors, while Loyd himself gave the nod to Anunoby.
“I’ve got to go OG, man. OG is seriously athletic,” Loyd said.
“It looks like he’s not even trying. I wish he’d give me some of that athleticism. I’d be happy with that” … Miami is expected to be without star point guard/ace Raptors antagonist Goran Dragic for at least three more games, meaning he’d miss Sunday’s game at Toronto.