As we prepare for the NBA conference finals to begin on Sunday, between the four teams most expected to make it this far, one team was served some devastating news on Friday.
That would be the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will be without Serge Ibaka, likely for the rest of the playoffs.
While Ibaka has not produced on the offensive end as most thought he would this postseason — he averaged 15 points and just under nine rebounds per game in the regular season — he is a crucial element to the Thunder’s success against the Spurs. He’s an excellent post defender against Tim Duncan, and offers the best rim protection the Thunder have to offer.
Make no mistake, this is a devastating loss. Here’s more from ESPN’s Marc Stein:
Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka is expected to miss the rest of the playoffs after suffering a calf injury in Oklahoma City’s series-clinching win Thursday night against the Clippers, the team announced Friday.
Ibaka was averaging 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 13 postseason games.
The Spurs will open the series at home Monday in Game 1 with health concerns of their own, as star guard Tony Parker continues to recover from a hamstring strain. But Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Friday that Parker is hopeful of being ready for the series opener, whereas Oklahoma City will greatly miss Ibaka, its interior defensive anchor.
The Thunder went 4-0 against the Spurs in the regular season, but without Ibaka, will have to reassemble their strategy as they did last postseason without Russell Westbrook.
This statement came from Thunder general manager Sam Presti on Friday:
“We are obviously disappointed for Serge, as he is a tremendous competitor, and we know how badly he wants to be on the court with his teammates,” Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. “At this point it is important that our team directs its concentration and energy towards preparation and execution for our upcoming series. As with all teams, our group has confronted different challenges. It is our collective experience that we will call on to ensure that we play to our capabilities.”
More from around the NBA
Are the Knicks courting Scottie Pippen: “Knicks GM Steve Mills huddled with Scottie Pippen for about 15 minutes Thursday at the draft combine to gauge the legendary Bull’s interest in potentially working for the organization in some capacity, possibly as an assistant coach, according to an NBA source. Knicks president Phil Jackson, stung by the Steve Kerr rejection, would have interest in Pippen in some capacity, depending on who is hired as head coach. Pippen, a student of the triangle offense, has the title of adviser with the Bulls. When asked by The Post about potentially working with Jackson, Pippen said, “I haven’t talked to Phil. I have to wait until that time comes. Right now nothing’s out there. I’m not going to say whether I’m interested or not until it happens.’’”
Make no mistake, Steve Kerr is tough enough to coach in the NBA: “In the days before the Warriors hired Kerr, Marvin was thrilled that his former player had exceeded his expectations. “Nobody knows the game better than Steve,” he maintained, “and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.” But the old coach has been around long enough to know where nice guys usually finish. “It doesn’t seem that Steve’s enough of a jerk to be a really successful coach,” Marvin said. “Is he mean enough or nasty enough to get on people, which you have to do as a coach?” In other words, is he tough enough for this unforgiving task of driving a group of professional athletes toward a title? Truth is, Stephen Douglas Kerr, son of a slain American hero, answered that question a long time ago.”
Deron Williams may be unhappy in Brooklyn, but has not requested a trade: “A high-level Brooklyn Nets official told The Brooklyn Game that a report that Deron Williams wanted out of Brooklyn “came out of left field” and that Williams has not requested a trade, butacknowledged that Williams has struggled with the burden of expectation since joining the Nets. “He’s frustrated,” the source told The Brooklyn Game. “He’s not happy with himself. He’s not up to his standards in the three years since we got him.” The Nets traded for Williams in February 2011, hoping that he’d be their cornerstone en route to a championship-caliber team. But balky ankles and wavering confidence have held back the All-Star point guard, who has attacked the rim less and less since joining the Nets and led them to two early playoff exits. He averaged 14.1 points and 6.1 assists per game this season, two career-lows since becoming a full-time starter in his sophomore season. The original report from HoopsCritic alleged a falling-out between Williams and Nets management, particularly Nets general manager Billy King.”
Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.
大阪なんか行ったら大阪弁しゃべらないと総スカンの差別地獄。
乃木坂の松村や白石がこんな反応するってことは、今のAKBがよっぽど見下されてるってことｗ
いて、得に若者なら誰もが知ってて誰もが歌っていないとおかしい
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Phil Jackson better be prepared for a bigger sting when Carmelo rejects his request to take a sizable reduction from the $129 million contract that he will be eligible from the Knicks. Melo fits so well with Bulls, and if he’s going to take a reduced salary, it might as well be with a guaranteed chance to compete seriously for a championship beginning with next season. Bulls can sign Melo outright (starting at over 19 million), as a free agent, by amnestying Boozer and trading Dunleavy to a team with space, and then can re-sign Hinrich with the MLE.
Great link to story about Steve Kerr history.
Deron Williams story was poorly timed. Clearly he’s upset with himself, not Brooklyn, and its all related to unfortunate injuries. He came to the Nets with a wrist injury, that wasn’t diagnosed correctly in Utah. The chronic ankle problems were made worse when DWill decided not to have arthroscopic surgery last Spring (not yet documented). We should know shortly, the results of the ankle MRI’s he had yesterday. DWill said in exit interview that he wants to get the gang back together again, and that he’s open to surgery in both ankles, if indicated. It’s ridiculous to suggest that he blames Brooklyn/Billy King. If anything, he’d like an opportunity to make it up to Brooklyn fans.