Star Giannis Antetokounmpo has strongly praised Serge Ibaka, the new Milwaukee Bucks playerand ironized that, after having measured the Spanish-Congolese power forward on the track for years, it is much better to have him now as a locker room partner than a great rival.
“He’s a great, great player“, he pointed out at the press conference after the Bucks’ defeat against the Phoenix Suns (131-107). “Bring that veteran leadership to the team. He is a physical player, who can give me, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez a break.. He can defend the best players of the other team (…). He can open the field for us, he can rebound. He is extremely smart. play to winr,” he said. “Obviously, I’d rather have him by my side than play against him,” he joked.
Antetokounmpo assured that Ibaka is “prepared” to contribute to the Bucks from day one and urged “welcome you with open arms“ to the Milwaukee team. “it will help us“, he claimed.
Also Khris Middleton, another of the great references of the Bucks, had words of affection for Ibaka after his signing. “He’s one of the best stoppers out there“, he said. Middleton extolled that Ibaka is “a veteran player who knows how to play” and believed that it will help them “protect hoop“.
For his part, Jrue Holiday said he expects from Ibaka “a great presence in the painting” and that “tapone tiros“. The point guard also highlighted that the Spaniard can defend in all five positions and defined his incorporation as “a very solid signing“.
Ibaka will try to win his second ring, after the one he won with the Toronto Raptors, with the Milwaukee Bucks, who are the current nba champions. After the four-way transfer announced a few hours before the transfer market closed, the Sacramento Kings kept Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Jackson and Trey Lyles; the Detroit Pistons signed Marvin Bagley; Los Angeles Clippers received Semi Ojele and Rodney Hood; and the Milwaukee Bucks, in addition to Ibaka, took two second-round draft picks. This is the fifth team for Ibaka in the NBA after Oklahoma City Thunder (2009-2016), Orlando Magic (2016-2017), Toronto Raptors (2017-2020) and Los Angeles Clippers (2020-2022).
After returning from his back injury, which allowed him to play only 43 games in his first season in Los Angeles, Ibaka had irregularly entered the Clippers’ rotation this season. and had often been outplayed by centers Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein. Ibaka, 32, is averaging 6.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and an assist in 15.4 minutes per game, his lowest since his rookie season with the Thunder in 2009-10.
