Heat vs. Thunder: Serge Ibaka Blasts LeBron James' Defense

Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka has called out first-team All-Defensive player LeBron James for what he believes to be overrated man-to-man defense.

According to Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post, the Thunder’s defensive specialist had this say to say about King James:

"

LeBron is not a good defender. He can play defense for two to three minutes but not 48 minutes. LeBron can’t play (Durant) one-on-one. They’re playing good defense like a team.

"

It was a bold move to publicly call out LeBron, but the 22-year-old stopper took a calculated risk.

UPDATE: Tuesday, June 19 at 1 p.m. ET 

LeBron has fired back in a somewhat sophomoric way, telling Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman that Ibaka is “stupid."

"

Regarding Ibaka's comments, LeBron initially said "He's...stupid." Bron paused before saying stupid, as if he didn't want 2 call Serge that

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) June 19, 2012"

He quickly tried to clarify for public relations reasons.

"

LeBron immediately tried to clarify by saying "It's not toward him, though."...The headlines will say LeBron called Ibaka stupid.

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) June 19, 2012"

--------------End of Update-----------

By knocking James in the media, word will certainly get back to the Heat locker room and grab the league MVP's attention. Ibaka's comments might even motivate James to exert more effort on the defensive end—a move that could easily backfire.  

Going with more isolation defense on the league's scoring champ is not a good strategy. Sticking to a smaller lineup that gives help where needed is the best game plan for the Heat. 

On the other hand, Ibaka’s gambit was also wise because it will motivate Kevin Durant and the rest of the Thunder to live up to their teammate’s claim.

KD has put together a solid performance in the finals but hasn’t done nearly as well since his Game 1 outburst. In that game, he dropped a game-high 36 points on 12-of-20 shooting with Shane Battier as his primary defender.

In their past two victories, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has used a combination of Battier, James and Dwyane Wade to slow down Durant. 

It will be interesting if we get a chance to see more James-on-Durant matchups during Tuesday's critical Game 4. With a championship more or less on the line in South Beach, Durant will have to come up with a big game. Will James be able to put the clamps on him?