How long has it been since you heard Ibaka’s name? At present, he is still a free agent and nobody cares! Recently, Ibaka talked about the situation in the Bucks last season in an interview. He is still very dissatisfied: "I don’t want more playing time when I leave the Bucks. What I want is communication. You should tell me in advance whether I will play or not."
Ibaka pointed the finger at coach Buden holzer: "Before joining Bucks, the coach told me that I wouldn’t have much playing time. I know that, and I will be ready to play. When Dallo and Portis were injured, you refused to let me play.When they came back from injury, you suddenly called me on, and I hadn’t played for three weeks."
Ibaka went on to say, "Will you fight or not? Have no communication with me beforehand! I can’t stand this, I can’t stand it, apply for a transaction. " In the offseason in 2022, Ibaka signed the Bucks for $2.91 million a year.I haven’t played since January 4 this year. On February 10th, Ibaka was sent to the Pacers by the Bucks and was immediately laid off.
In the 2022-23 season, Ibaka played only 16 games in the Bucks, averaging 11.6 minutes per game.Only got 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds, with three hit rates: 48.1%, 33.3% and 61.5%.On January 11th, the reporter asked Ibaka, "What role did Coach Buden ask you to play in the team?" Ibaka replied, "Which coach? I have no comment. "
Ibaka also compared Tyrone Lu with Buden holzer: "I was not like this when I was on the Clippers (2021-22 season), and I respected Lu’s guidance very much.He will call me in the morning and say that he will give young people more opportunities this week, and I will answer no problem at all. No matter what happens, Tyrone Lu will communicate with me in advance."
In fact, Ibaka’s appeal is also very simple: let me know in advance whether I am allowed to play or not. Obviously, Buden didn’t do it. He probably felt that Ibaka was dispensable in the team and didn’t give the veteran enough respect. Last season’s regular season, although the Bucks ranked first in the league, Buden still finished class in May this year.
Ibaka was born on September 18th, 1989, and will turn 34 next month. The free market has been open for more than a month, and the big lists of each team are almost full. It is difficult for Ibaka to return to the NBA. Ibaka’s total salary in his career exceeds 140 million US dollars, and he can enjoy life completely. He has frequently attended fashion activities in the last six months.
Ibaka signed two big contracts in his career:In 2012, Thunder was renewed for $48 million in four years; In 2017, the Raptors were renewed for $65 million in three years.In the 2018-19 season and 2019-20 season, he averaged 15+8 in the regular field for two consecutive years, which is worthy of an annual salary of 20 million! The entire NBA career averaged 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks!
Ibaka won the blocked shot twice in the regular season and was selected as the best defensive team for a while three times! During the thunder, he was a blocking machine!3.7 blocks per game in 2011-12, 3 blocks per game in 2012-13 and 2.7 blocks per game in 2013-14.In 2014, Ibaka fought with injuries, which was a turning point in his career.
Ibaka should have had a better career! That thunder has also become the regret of many fans.
