Serge “Ibaka Gaijin” Ibaka was getting called out a little bit by Jack Armstrong on the Raptors broadcast for not always bringing 100% effort, echoing the sentiments of some Raptors fans I have secretively observed on the internet in their native habitats. Maybe he’s getting comfy with his brand new contract where he gets paid 20 million dollars a year, or MAYBE he’s FIVE YEARS OLDER than his stated age and his body DOESN’T ALLOW HIM to play with the same INTENSITY we’re used to.
Now I’m looking at his stats because I’m curious, and his effective field goal percentage hasn’t been this high in some time, and his per-36 scoring is where it’s always been. His blocks and rebounds are down, but that just shows how tired he was of being painted as a defense-only player when he obviously has considerable skills at scoring the ball. Besides, his blocks-per-game totals have been dropping since his third year in the league. It’s not like they suddenly got worse this season specifically.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, a stretch four who possesses elite defense would be one of the most coveted players in the league, but just a plain stretch four is pretty good too.