“I couldn't take what was happening anymore”- Serge Ibaka shares the reason why he left the Milwaukee Bucks

Serge Ibaka says lack of playing time and communication forced him to leave the Milwaukee Bucks.

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Even though his role with the Milwaukee Bucks was limited, Serge Ibaka wanted to stay longer with the team. But Ibaka said his situation in the Bucks became “confusing” and “it got to a point where I couldn't I could not take what was happening anymore.”

Ibaka talked about his departure from the Bucks for the first time when he was interviewed by Shams Charania of the Athletic.

14-year NBA vet Serge Ibaka sits down with @Stadium: “A lot of things that I can bring to a team...basketball, experience of winning, playing with great players.” On split with Bucks: “I couldn’t take what was happening anymore…no communications”, getting most from stars, more. pic.twitter.com/20rGdzHJA4

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 3, 2023

In the interview, the 14-year NBA veteran detailed how his tenure with the Bucks ended.

“What happened for me..when I decided to leave, I felt like I got to a point where you know I couldn't take what was happening anymore,” the 6-foot-11 big man said.

Ibaka disclosed that it was during the summer when then Milwaukee head coach Mike Budenholzer called him and recruited him.

Accepting limited role with the Bucks

Then a free agent, Ibaka said Budenholzer made it clear to him that he was not going to play a ton of minutes like he used to with his previous teams because Brook Lopez “is having a great season and Bobby Portis was playing at a high level.”

“I knew going there, it was really hard for me to have a minute to play and we talked about it before signing. He told me to my face 'listen you come in here, I promise you nothing but you never know it's a long season. Guys can have injuries, you have to stay ready'. I said okay cool, accept it. I’m gonna keep working hard, stay professional, and cheer for our teammates,” Ibaka said.

Despite his limited role, Ibaka still considered joining the Bucks a “blessing”, but he started “getting confused” when his playing time remained scarce even though the Bucks were hounded by injuries. Serge found it odd that he would only get playing time when key players started returning from injuries.

Prioritizing peace of mind

Ibaka became impatient when he could not crack the rotation for three weeks. What was more frustrating was the lack of communication, he said.

“There was no communication. So that's really the main reason I left. It's not because what people thinking like 'Oh I want to play more, asking more.' No. You can ask all the teammates you can. Ask all my guys I play with and I didn't have nothing..no problem with the guys in the locker room,” Ibaka said.

Ibaka lamented that the management was saying “different things.”

“When I go talk with the front office, they tell me different things, they love me, they want me to be there, they want me to stay. I go back on the court, the situation is different. It got to some point where I was like 'Okay, I cannot just take this no more. I love this game so much but if this is gonna take my peace ofmind my joy, you know, it's not worth it,” he said.

Ibaka said his situation with the Bucks was totally different when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers. Serge claimed said the Clippers coach Tyrone Lue would call him to inform him that he may use a lineup that will reduce his playing time.

The veteran also expressed how the Bucks should have given him the courtesy to really explain to him what role he will be playing with the team.

“I earned my respect in this league. I’m not asking about playing, just communication,” he said.

Ibaka only played 16 games last season, averaging just 4.1 points in 11.6 minutes per contest. The Bucks traded him to the Indiana Pacers, who would then waive the Congolese/Spanish big man.