Toronto Raptors: Can Serge Ibaka be the tool to the Eastern Conference Finals?

By Tyler Clerkin | Nov 30, 2017

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 15: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors warms up before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 15, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Serge Ibaka can do a little bit of everything on the court. If the Toronto Raptors want to make it far in the playoffs, he could be the answer.

So far this season the Toronto Raptors have proved they can hang with some of the league’s best. They are currently sitting at 13-7 after their latest win over the Charlotte Hornets. This puts them in good shape in the Eastern Conference standings as the fourth-best team through the first quarter of the season.

Even though we have only seen the Raptors play 20 games, it is never too early to start talking about the playoffs, and they are certainly a team that can make some noise in the East.

That is, if everyone on the team steps up, with one player being Serge Ibaka in particular. The 28-year-old stretch-4 could be the tool needed for the Raptors to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

During his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he was crucial to the team’s success, averaging 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. Fast forward to the 2016-17 season and he does the same thing for Toronto. During his first season as a Raptor, he made an immediate impact, putting up 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

So far this season, it has been the same story for Ibaka. He has been contributing for the Raptors, and that is exactly what is needed out of him.

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He has been able to average 11.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game this season, but one stat that is worth noting is his usage percentage, which has gone down since last season. Last season his usage percentage was at a 20.9 percent. This season it has dropped to 18.9 percent.

Now, let’s think about the starting lineup for the Raptors for a second. The two main options are always going to be DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. That is a well-known fact at this point.

But should they start looking for Ibaka more this season? After all, he has shown that he is able to put points on the board this season. One example of that is his game against the Philadelphia 76ers, when he had 21 points.

The answer to that is neither yes nor no, because Ibaka is known for specializing in one thing: defense. During his career, he has been named to the NBA All-Defensive team three times.

That is exactly why he is so important to the Raptors. While Lowry and DeRozan are scoring the ball, Ibaka is locking down the paint. And you’re still going to get some points out of him as well.

Going up against some of the best teams in the East, there are not many that can bring a threat to Ibaka. Let’s take the Boston Celtics for example, who currently hold the best record in the East.

Their power forward is Marcus Morris, who is averaging 12.7 points per game this season. If these two teams were to meet up in the playoffs, Ibaka would more than likely be able to shut him down, thus making the load heavier for players like Kyrie Irving or Al Horford.

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Ibaka can do a little bit of everything on the court, and this is why the Raptors are lucky to have him. If he can step up a bit more on offense and continue to spread the floor, he could be the tool they need in order to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

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