Gregg Popovich called it from the start.
According to Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports, shot-blocking maestro and Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka could return to the 2014 NBA Playoffs. Ibaka was originally ruled out for the remainder of the postseason with a calf injury, but his status has been updated to day-to-day.
There’s a chance that Ibaka could play as soon as Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, May 25.
The Thunder have sorely missed Ibaka’s presence in the paint. OKC is currently in a 2-0 hole against the Spurs, losing Game 1 122-105 and Game 2 112-77.
Ibaka’s absence is not the difference between blowout losses and victories, but his value is undeniable. Through two games, the Spurs have scored an average of 60.0 points in the paint per game.
Seeing as Ibaka is one of the best interior defenders in the league—he’s led the NBA in total blocks in three straight seasons—one can’t help but wonder how OKC would benefit from his presence. This has many clamoring with thoughts that Ibaka, regardless of if he’s 100 percent, could be the spark that the Thunder need to come back.
As Amick outlined, Popovich and the Spurs saw this coming from the start.
Meanwhile in San Antonio, the Spurs were no doubt rolling their eyes at the whole affair considering they had warned us all that this might happen. From coach Gregg Popovich on down, they had refused to believe Ibaka would miss any time and were roundly ridiculed for being paranoid.
Popovich’s direct quote, via Dan McCarney of The San Antonio Express: “Shocked. I’m so surprised. Like I told you from the beginning, I know [Sam Presti]. We knew he’d be back. And that’s good.”
Hopefully this means we’ll see something other than a blowout in the Western Conference Finals.
Taj Gibson Told He’ll Be Chicago’s Starting PF
One of the most pleasant surprises of the 2013-14 NBA regular season was Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls. After years of being hit with the upside label, Gibson finally displayed signs of putting it all together as a two-way force worthy of major playing time.
According to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls have informed the 28-year-old that he will be the starter in 2014-15.
With about a week left of rehabbing his left ankle, which he injured in the Game 5 playoff loss to the Wizards last month, Gibson confirmed that he has been told “to get my body and mind right to be a starter.’’
“I mean, this will be exciting,’’ Gibson said in a phone interview. “This is what I’ve always thought about. When I started [six games] for Boozer when he was hurt during the season, I just know how excited I was, how good it felt to come to the arena.’’
This is big news for both Gibson and a number of other impact power forwards.
The Bulls have been involved in trade and free agency rumors for every big name imaginable. Amongst interior players, the two names most commonly associated with the Bulls have been All-Star Kevin Love and free agent Pau Gasol.
The latest development suggests that neither are in play for Chicago.
Gibson averaged 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 28.7 minutes while playing the full 82-game season in 2013-14. Gibson was also one of the Top 10 rim protectors in the association, posting a opponent field goal percentage at the rim of 45.7 percent.
The Bulls are still in play for additional scoring—I’m talking about you, Carmelo Anthony—but Gibson’s promotion to the starting lineup is a sign that Chicago has withdrawn from the Gasol and Love sweepstakes.
Cavaliers Considering College Coaches
The Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the most intriguing situations of any non-playoff team in the league. For that matter, Cleveland has a stronger collection of young talent than some postseason teams.
Kyrie Irving is an All-Star point guard, Dion Waiters is a quality 2-guard, Tristan Thompson is a double-double machine and Cleveland just earned the No. 1 overall draft pick for the third time in four years.
With Mike Brown out, the Cavaliers are now searching for a new head coach.
Names have been swirling throughout the rumor mill for quite some time, but the Cavaliers have yet to make a hire. As the process rages on, Cleveland seems to be shifting its attention from the professional to the collegiate ranks for hiring options.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Cavs are targeting two of the most high-profile names in college basketball and another rising force.
The Cavs, who have been buoyed after winning the draft lottery this week, have been focusing their search on big-name college candidates in the wake of firing Mike Brown. In addition to [Florida Gators coach Billy] Donovan, they have tested the interest of Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg, sources said. The Cavs also inquired about UConn’s Kevin Ollie before he signed a long-term extension to stay with the Huskies.
Billy Donovan of the Florida Gators, Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans and Fred Hoiberg of the Iowa State Cyclones. Aim for the stars.
The Cavaliers certainly have the talent pool necessary to woo a big name from the college ranks. All three of the listed candidates have systems that would fit the personnel in some way, shape or form, which makes them somewhat expected options.
The question is, will any of them leave their current positions?
Donovan and Izzo have both won National Championships and have as much job security as any coach in any sport at any level. Both have been on the radars of countless NBA organizations.
Cleveland offers a rare opportunity to develop potentially elite talent in Irving, Waiters and the No. 1 pick in 2014.
As for Hoiberg, his name is coming up in reference to virtually every coaching vacancy. He’s only 41 years old and is viewed as the type of leader who can grow with a young team through the ups-and-downs of an NBA season.
Where better for that to happen than Cleveland?