National Basketball Association

Ibaka's impact hidden bonus in Thunder's big trade

Published Apr. 29, 2011 9:18 a.m. ET

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When the Oklahoma City Thunder brought Serge Ibaka to the United States, all they asked of him was to play defense and provide energy off the bench.

Now, he's giving them so much more.

The hidden bonus of Oklahoma City's deal for Kendrick Perkins at the trade deadline was sliding Ibaka into Jeff Green's vacated spot at power forward. He has excelled, becoming even more of a shot-blocking force and developing some scoring punch, too.

In a sensational first-round series against Denver, Ibaka provided three double-doubles, scored a career-high 22 points in his first road playoff start and punctuated his performance with a franchise postseason record nine blocks in the clinching Game 5 win.

''There's really nobody in the league that can affect the game like that, get nine blocks like that and do the stuff that he can do offensively, too,'' said Nick Collison, the veteran forward who's now his backup.

While Kevin Durant was stealing the show with a final offensive flurry, Ibaka played just as crucial a role at the other end to help Oklahoma City eliminate a nine-point deficit in the final 4 minutes and send the Nuggets home.

The Thunder had fallen behind 91-82 by allowing Denver a series of layups and free throws that were earned by getting to the rim. Once Ibaka returned, the Nuggets got only one basket in the last 4 minutes, and even that came on a tip-in of a miss.

The most important of his blocks - two more than any Seattle or Oklahoma City player had ever had in the playoffs - came on a dunk attempt by Nene that would have given Denver the lead with 35 seconds left.

''We love Serge,'' coach Scott Brooks said. ''Our guys get excited about what he does. Our team is about work and Serge is a worker. He works every day.

''He doesn't want anything, and he wouldn't take it. He wants to earn it.''

Ibaka was the 24th pick in the 2008 draft - when All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook also joined the team as the No. 4 pick - but he stayed in Europe to keep developing. He joined Oklahoma City last season as a reserve center and spent most of his time in that role before the Thunder added Perkins and fellow center Nazr Mohammed in February.

That allowed Ibaka to move into a more natural position, where he averaged 3.3 blocks from March to the end of the regular season. He blocked 24 shots in the five games against Denver.

Ibaka's work on offense was on display last week, when he engaged in a competition against guard James Harden after the main part of a playoff practice was over.

Harden stood a step behind the 3-point line and Ibaka was one step inside, and the two set off on an alternate version of ''Around the World.'' Ibaka would take a long jumper and Harden would fire a 3-pointer. If both made it, or missed it, they'd shoot again. If one connected and the other didn't, there was a winner.

Moving along the arc from one corner to the other, Ibaka - better known as the NBA's leader in blocks this season, and a competitor in the dunk contest - got the best of Harden.

Ibaka's broadened game proved crucial when he hit jumper after jumper in his 22-point performance in Denver that provided Oklahoma City a commanding 3-0 series lead.

''People just knew me before as Serge Ibaka, an energy player,'' he said. ''Now, people are surprised at how I shoot the ball.''

It's only fitting that Ibaka has become such a multitalented player. He's speaks Spanish and is learning English - doing interviews in both languages after Game 5 - and also is fluent in French and a language native to his homeland, the Republic of Congo.

He even has the most nicknames on the team: ''I-block-a'' and ''Serge Protector,'' for his shot-blocking prowess, and ''Air Congo,'' to go along with his post-dunk habit of stretching his arms out like wings.

There's no question he can fly. The winner of a European dunk title, the 6-foot-10 Ibaka took off from the foul line for one of his slams in this year's dunk contest during All-Star weekend.

Denver coach George Karl said he used to compare Ibaka to Shawn Kemp, the six-time All-Star who helped Seattle to the NBA finals in the 1990s but ''he's shooting a lot of jump shots now and he's making them.''

So, what makes Ibaka so special?

''Speed and power,'' Karl said. ''You usually have one or the other. You usually don't have both.''

After Denver's last-second attempt at a 3-pointer to tie Game 5 was off target, Ibaka went bounding across the court, thumping his chest and giving out celebratory hugs.

There could be many more ahead for the 21-year-old just wrapping up his second season in the NBA.

''It's work and confidence,'' Ibaka said. ''I have confidence in my teammates, my coaches and I try to work every day to do my best possible.

''I will keep just working every day, and we'll see the future.''

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