This deal is absolutely one sided for the Thunders. If you have watched how Ibaka played in the Thunder last year, he was removed from the paint and often stayed outside the 3 pt line, he is an OK 3 pt shooter, no where near a decent stretch 4, so his value of inside presence and rebounding was gone, Kanter and Adams are more important than him on those area. So in this trade, actually the Thunders are getting back a real stretch 4 and a much better 3 pt shooter and not only that, they are getting Oladipo? Are you kidding me? I could care less about Sabonis, even he will be a complete bust, Thunders already well ahead in this trade.
That is how you say his name. His name is not pronounced stefan. He is and forever will be known as steven curry. steven steven
So what, we're talking about spelling, not pronounciation. You realize how stupid you look when attacking malakas for spelling a word in a correct way, while you spell a name wrong again and again? But guess you live in your own world and somehow can't grasp it.
(smile for the camera) Spoiler what's wrong KD? you don't look happy Spoiler Westbrook: "Hey man, I'm worried about you." Spoiler
In terms of overall talent Ibaka is still the best player in the deal. He has definitely underwhelmed as the 3rd star in OKC but at the same time you can't deny he is a big time defender and rebounder with some range and he doesn't need the ball to be effective. And he's only 26 and would still be worth a max contract when his current deal expires. And all this is assuming he plays like his usual underwhelming self, if he blows up like Harden did on the Rox after leaving Mr. Blackhole Westbrick then that's a sweet bonus. You also have to remember Steven Adams has emerged as a paint scorer which is probably the reason why Ibaka became relegated to a stretch 4 role and while he has a decent shooting touch taking him out of the paint minimizes his overall effectiveness. That's why this is win-win deal for both teams, Magic get the best player and some star power while OKC diversify and get younger and cheaper guys in return for a disgruntled player.
Sam Presti: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “The reason why I think we're in the position to make that choice (Ibaka for Oladipo) is because we've got another one in Steven Adams,” Presti said. “His emergence as I think an impact defensive player is allowing us to look to continue to add to the team and make it deeper, more robust, more skilled. And that's why we've always talked about the ability to compete year-in and year-out and maintain a performance level, because we've been able to organically grow and use those opportunities when people outgrow roles to sustain the performance of the team and be in a position to stay with the second best winning percentage in the NBA over the last six years.” “I think the thing that we have to acknowledge and recognize is that the reason why we're able to make decisions and capitalize on opportunities like this is because of the development and continued evolution of some of our players, namely Adams and (Andre) Roberson,” Presti said. Roberson's playoff bloom gave Billy Donovan confidence to play a small-ball lineup at a much greater rate. “Some of the things that we're able to see in the postseason gave us the opportunity to look to add to other parts of the team,” Presti said. [The Oklahoman] Steven Adams: The main reason Serge Ibaka was traded -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Crean on Oladipo: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “They’re going to be able to switch everything,” Crean said. An encouraging Tom Crean quote during my conversation with him: "The thing I’m looking forward to is him moving off the ball more. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached, ever, at moving without the ball and being able to impact the game without the ball with cuts and reading how he’s being played and getting out on the break without the ball.” [The Oklahoman] Thunder film room: Breaking down Victor Oladipo's game and his fit with the Thunder -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rob Hennigan & Frank Vogel: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “We feel like we have a roster that is really well-balanced now, and it was important for us to balance it in a way that addressed a very glaring need and a very important need in today’s NBA,” Hennigan said. “Serge’s ability to protect the basket, his ability to defend in a very versatile way, we feel, is really going to help fortify a major weakness for us.” “The direction that the NBA is going, defensive versatility is huge,” Magic coach Frank Vogel said. “So when you have a guy that can not only protect the rim at the highest level but also has the skill set to switch out and guard smaller guys in today’s small-ball NBA, he becomes extremely, extremely valuable to what we’re hoping to do on the defensive end.” “And when you add the fact that he fits into the direction the league is going offensively with his ability to space the floor . . . he really fits into the direction we want to go.” [Orlando Sentinel] Magic trade Victor Oladipo, draft pick to Thunder for Serge Ibaka --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oladipo is good, but so is ibaka. Let me just give you an example, if OKC didn't have Adams and Enes Kanter, I don't think they make that deal, honestly. Ibaka is a great player and he is only (if reports are right) 26. Though he is probably more like 29. Why it looks bad on the Magic's part is because OKC is so deep. They have done very well restocking talent.
No, it looks bad because: A) They gave up Ilyasova AND a great draft pick as well B) They now have Elfrid run the show, not the greatest prospect C) They already have two good bigs! + most importantly: D) Ibaka is in his last year and can bolt. GIVING UP on a possible franchise player for a rental is insanity.
Now that I really think about it. If OKC thinks they can retain Durant, they also think he's physically matured (strength) to be come a stretch 4. Meaning he has shown he can play inside as well for blocks, rebounds, and playmaking. And then, they consider the fact that they are not as profitable a team so aren't looking to take advantage of a increased cap space. They trade away a great traditional power forward with a jump shot.
Yeah, I think this is true. They found a way to smartly address two outcomes, I think: make a stronger recruiting pitch to KD by showing an improved roster around him if he stays, while also getting ready for a possible post-Durant future. Hard to pull that off.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Durant to reporters in NYC on the Ibaka for Oladipo swap: "It's a good move" <a href="https://t.co/RvxOvCAfAv">https://t.co/RvxOvCAfAv</a> <a href="https://t.co/wBCORjPXzn">pic.twitter.com/wBCORjPXzn</a></p>— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/747850381279920128">June 28, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Victor Oladipo Looking For Max Extension From Thunder: <a href="https://t.co/odJKpy1Aq2">https://t.co/odJKpy1Aq2</a> <a href="https://t.co/XwZtrCnNrl">pic.twitter.com/XwZtrCnNrl</a></p>— RealGM (@RealGM) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/758009605217669120">July 26, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
