Toronto Raptors: 5 goals for Serge Ibaka in 2017-18

4. Play tough and draw fouls

Serge Ibaka can be physical and man-handle other 4’s equivalent to his size. This draws on a point from the previously mentioned goal — he needs to become more active in the paint and slightly less active on the outside. There is nothing wrong with him attempting nearly five shots per game from the outside while hitting almost 40 percent, but it must not come at the expense of his other obvious strengths.

Being able to hit from 10-16 feet is good and doing so from the beyond the arc is great, but at his position he is going to be needed down low and often. This seems to be another case of give-and-take, but during the three consecutive years he was an All-Defensive honoree, he was also just showing the first signs of improving from the free throw line.

It was during this time that he was drawing more and more shooting fouls, a career high 94 during 2013-14. He was also taking virtually no attempts from the outside between the 2011-12 and 2013-14 season before he decided to re-invent himself.

Again, nothing wrong with switching it up, but drawing fouls and earning free shots at the basket just seems more efficient, though it may be more physically demanding. With support from Jonas Valanciunas down low as well as stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan on the outside, Ibaka can benefit from being the bully in the paint.

If Ibaka is willing to adjust in this way and embrace the way of the enforcer, he will create more opportunities for himself and his teammates.