© Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Ex-Milwaukee Buck Serge Ibaka believes he can still do a lot in the NBA
Serge Ibaka hardly played during his stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, but the 14-year NBA veteran believes he still has a lot left in his tank.
Ibaka said he can still do a lot if given the opportunity, believing that the young guys can learn a lot from him.
“I've been in the game for a long time. There’s a lot of things I can bring on the team more than just playing basketball,” Ibaka said during an interview with The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Declining numbers
Ibaka only averaged just 6.6 points in the 35 games that he played with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021-22 season. In February 2022, the Clippers shipped Serge to Milwaukee, where he played 19 games and averaged 7.0 points per contest.
The Bucks re-signed Ibaka to a one-year deal on July 22nd, but the big man played just 16 games with the Bucks last season, averaging just 4.1 points in a very limited 11.6 minutes per contest.
The lack of playing time left Ibaka frustrated, which forced him to request a trade. The Bucks traded Ibaka to the Indiana Pacers alongside Jordan Nwora and George Hill in a four-team deal involving the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns. The Pacers immediately waived Ibaka, and the season ended with the Congolese-Spanish player without a team.
Oozing with experience
The 6-foot-11 forward said having a winning attitude is something that he can teach to younger players.
“The experience of winning, I’ve been playing with a lot of great players. I learned a lot from them,” Ibaka said.
Ibaka played a key role when the Toronto Raptors won the NBA title in 2019. He may no longer be the premier defender and solid perimeter shooter that he used to be, but the 34-year-old big man believes he can still be an asset.
“Championship mentality. That’s what I do, that’s easy money,” he said.
Ibaka is one of the notable free agents that is left unsigned. The three-time All-Defensive First Team is optimistic that he can still return to the NBA.
“My off-season is like putting in the work, trying to get better, and my mindset is still the same. I am just trying to find the opportunity where I can go and have fun again,” he said.
