LOS ANGELES – Before Sunday’s tip against the Charlotte Hornets, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue didn’t want to say how many minutes Serge Ibaka would fit into the spin on his return to the action on 10am.
One thing was taken for granted, however: Lue’s bench became significantly less interesting from a fashion point of view – the compromise for the additional depth of the front court.
Who could forget Ibaka’s stunning ankle-length dress, competing with low Dior sneakers, Thom Browne bag, white Prada bucket hat and colorful silk scarf that he made into a face cover in last season’s victory over the Lakers in April ?
Ibaka spent much of his early days with the Clippers, making bold statements on the bench because he was sidelined by back pain. The 6-foot-10 center from the Republic of Congo played 41 games, averaging 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds, and shot 51% off the field.
He was constrained with « back tension » for much of the season before returning for the final two regular season games after which he said he had a pinched nerve.
In the postseason, Ibaka played 12 minutes, 47 seconds in Game 1 of the Clippers’ first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks and then only 5:35 in Game 2 before being disfellowshipped with back cramps and ending his season
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So in July, without thinking about it, he decided to sign up for the second year of his $ 9.7 million contract with the team.
« I’m the type of person who doesn’t give up, » said Ibaka, 32, on the media day before the start of the season. “I feel like I have unfinished business here and I want to show Clippers fans what Serge Ibaka was looking for, what they want to see. I feel like I didn’t give that last year. I didn’t give them that last year. I thought you know what, I have to quit the job. »
He re-entered the Clippers’ ninth game of the season on Sunday, joining the team’s 7-footers Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein as available centers.
Lue said he expects Ibaka – a three-time election for the NBA’s all-defensive first team and a teammate of Kawhi Leonards on the title-winning team of the Toronto Raptors in 2019 – to help increase the Clippers’ game volume increase. Not in terms of recordings, but literally.
« His defensive presence in this second unit, as he is a guy who speaks and communicates, as we have a quiet team by nature, he does a good job of communicating easily, speaking in his reports and make sure everyone is in the right places. “, Lue said before the tip on Sunday at the Staples Center. « And then just try to see what his wind is like because he hasn’t played in a while. »
A while = 150 days of rehab, including a couple of weeks of five-on-five training all over the court to help Ibaka prepare his legs and lungs for the intensity of the NBA game.
« He went out of his way to come back and work hard, » said Lue. “I just make sure his body is right. He’s a hard worker by nature so he’s just trying to do whatever it takes to come back so now is his moment so he’s excited. The team is looking forward to him too. »
Kelly Oubre Jr. # 12 of the Charlotte Hornets warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 07, 2021 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
LaMelo Ball # 2 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a first quarter game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Eric Bledsoe # 12 of the Los Angeles Clippers heads for Nick Richards # 14 of the Charlotte Hornets in the first quarter at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Paul George # 13 of the Los Angeles Clippers hits the basket against LaMelo Ball # 2 of the Charlotte Hornets in the first quarter at Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Paul George # 13 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes to the basket against Miles Bridges # 0 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second quarter at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Paul George # 13 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes to the basket against Miles Bridges # 0 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second quarter at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Paul George # 13 of the Los Angeles Clippers dribbles across the pitch against the Charlotte Hornets in the second quarter at the Staples Center on November 7, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Ivica Zubac # 40 of the Los Angeles Clippers and Miles Bridges # 0 of the Charlotte Hornets battle for the rebound in the second quarter at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Paul George # 13 of the Los Angeles Clippers loses in the second quarter at the Staples Center on 07th. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Eric Bledsoe # 12 of the Los Angeles Clippers loses control of the ball to LaMelo Ball # 2 of the Charlotte Hornets in the first quarter at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Luke Kennard # 5 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates a three-point basket against the Charlotte Hornets in the fourth quarter at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Terry Rozier # 3 of the Charlotte Hornets wins the fourth quarter at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California against Ivica Zubac # 40 of the Los Angeles Clippers. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
LaMelo Ball # 2 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against Paul George # 13 of the Los Angeles Clippers in the third quarter at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
LaMelo Ball # 2 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against Paul George # 13 of the Los Angeles Clippers in the third quarter at the Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
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