Will Serge Ibaka or Reggie Jackson Be OKC Thunder's 3rd Wheel This Season?
Who will be the Oklahoma City Thunder's third option this season: power forward Serge Ibaka or guard Reggie Jackson?
The Thunder already have one of the best one-two punches in basketball (when healthy) in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However, with Durant expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, per ESPN.com's Royce Young, with a "fracture in his right foot," the need for a third man to step up is more important than ever.
Ibaka and Jackson both bring different elements to the table. With Durant out, Jackson is more capable of replacing some of the reigning MVP's offensive production. He's a dynamic scorer who can provide a spark, either as a starter or coming off the bench.
However, Thunder general manager Sam Presti suggested the team may take a different approach in filling the void left by Durant's injury, per Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman:
"One of the ways to improve your team and make up for loss offensively is to play even better defensively and reduce the net rating between the offense and the defense...
We need to be good on both ends of the floor. But clearly, in Kevin’s absence, continuing to build a defensive identity is going to be really important in making sure that we are as balanced as ever offensively.
"
That would be where Ibaka comes in. The 25-year-old has finished among the top three in blocks per game in each of the last four seasons, including leading the league twice. Ibaka can also get it done on the offensive end as well. He's raised his scoring the past three seasons, culminating in a career-high 15.1 points per game last year.
Both Ibaka and Jackson have injuries of their own to deal with. Ibaka has been dealing with a sprained ankle, which kept him out of the team's Oct. 10 preseason clash with the Dallas Mavericks. Meanwhile, Jackson suffered a right wrist contusion during that game against the Mavs and is listed as day-to-day, per Mayberry:
That recent misfortune aside, the battle for the better third wheel will be settled by pitting the two against each other in three simple categories: role, offense and defense.
Role
When attempting to establish yourself as the clear-cut third option, it's important to have a defined role. Ultimately, what is the team counting on you to bring to the table? Will you see a lot of playing time, and can you make the most of it on the floor?
Ibaka's spot in the starting rotation is solidified. Based on his averages the past two seasons, he'll play around 32 minutes a night for the Thunder this year, barring injury. He logged 32.9 minutes per game last season and 31.1 the year before that.
When on the floor, the Congo native is Oklahoma City's best interior option on both ends of the court. Given the offensive deficiencies of centers Steven Adams and Kendrick Perkins, Ibaka is the team's go-to guy in the post by default. His outstanding work protecting the rim (2.7 blocks per game) and on the boards (career-high 8.8 rebounds) makes him the team's anchor inside.
Jackson's position with the team is a little more murky. He's in the running for the starting shooting guard spot that was opened up by Thabo Sefolosha's departure. However, in keeping with the Thunder's defensive mentality, second-year perimeter defender Andre Roberson looks to be the favorite to win the job.
Roberson has started the first two preseason games, and that trend is likely to continue with Jackson battling a wrist injury. If Roberson gets the nod, Jackson gets moved to the role he's best suited for: sixth man.
While being the top reserve will make playing time less consistent, it also gives Jackson the opportunity to lead the second unit's offensive attack.
It's a role that worked out great for James Harden during The Beard's three seasons in Oklahoma City. Harden averaged 12.7 points per game during that span and was the 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year. He eventually parlayed that spot into becoming the Houston Rockets' franchise shooting guard.
The same could hold true for Jackson. The team will need his offense to help compensate for Durant's absence. Jackson is also playing for a new contract, as he's a restricted free agent at the end of the season. This has the potential to be the best season of the Boston College product's career.
Still, Ibaka's standing as the unquestioned starter at power forward gives him the edge over Jackson. He doesn't have to worry about fighting off others for playing time or what his role will be on a game-to-game basis. Plus, in a frontcourt lacking proven options, Ibaka carries a bit more value to the team.
Advantage: Ibaka
Offense
This is an area that Ibaka has improved in each year. In addition to his fine work in the paint, he has branched out and added other wrinkles to his offensive game. He shot 53.6 percent from the field last season, including 38.3 percent from three-point range (23 of 60).
Ibaka also converted 49.1 percent of his attempts from 10-16 feet (82 of 167). He also shot 46.5 percent from between 16 feet and just within the three-point line (165 of 355). With his stellar mid-range game and continued development from behind the arc, he has the potential to be one of the league's most versatile offensive weapons.
Here's a look at Ibaka's shot chart from last season, courtesy of NBA.com.
For Jackson, scoring is his bread and butter. He contributed 13.1 points in 28.5 minutes per game last season. He also improved considerably from the outside, boosting his three-point percentage from 23.1 percent in 2012-13 to 33.9 percent last season.
Jackson's best work came in relief of Westbrook. With the All-Star guard sidelined by a knee injury, Jackson stepped in and averaged 14.9 points and 4.9 assists per game during the month of January. It was his best performance in any individual month last season.
Jackson saved a little something for the postseason as well. There was his 32-point performance in Game 4 of the Thunder's first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. He also dropped 21 points on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.
Here's a look at one of Jackson's better games from last season. This clip is from the Thunder's March 21 showdown with the Toronto Raptors. In this video, you'll see the many facets of Jackson's offensive game. He excels at attacking the rim but, as seen at the 1:02 mark, he can also square up and drain a shot in a defender's face.
Jackson put plenty of ink on the stat sheet that night. He finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot in 42 minutes. His work on the boards was impressive for a 6'3", 208-pound guard.
While Ibaka's abilities as a scorer are improving, he's still a work in progress. Jackson is already a dynamic scorer. He can run point or play off the ball. He knows when he needs to take over a game, which takes pressure off Durant and Westbrook. When he gets hot, he can carry an offense.
Advantage: Jackson
Defense
Naturally, Ibaka wins this category by a mile. His skills as a shot-blocker are well-known.
He's averaged 2.6 blocks per game during his five years in the NBA. In the 2011-12 season, he contributed a ridiculous 3.7 blocks per game, which led the league. That mark was 1.5 blocks better than the next-best guy (JaVale McGee). He finished with 107 more blocks that season than second-place finisher DeAndre Jordan (243-to-134).
Last season, according to 82games.com, the Thunder held opponents to an effective field-goal percentage of 48.4 percent when Ibaka was playing. When Ibaka wasn't on the floor, that number rose to 49.6 percent. He also led the league in total blocks last season, swatting away 219 shots.
For the next decade, he and New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis will battle for the title of the league's best defensive power forward.
Jackson is a decent defender as well. Opposing players shot 48.3 percent against him last season (compared to 49.3 percent when he sat down), according to 82games.com, and he averaged 1.1 steals per game. Jackson has the speed and athleticism to hang with fellow floor generals, but his lack of ideal size puts him at a disadvantage against bigger shooting guards.
Even with improvement in this area, it will be tough for Jackson to overtake Ibaka in this area. As long as the big man is healthy, he'll be Oklahoma City's best defender.
Advantage: Ibaka
The Verdict
While Jackson will be a key component for the Thunder this season, Ibaka's balance gives him the clear edge. Even with an increased role and minutes, Jackson is unlikely to consistently get more touches than Ibaka. That will become an even bigger issue once Durant comes back, as opportunities for a fourth option will become sparse.
Ibaka's importance to the team was obvious during the Thunder's playoff series against the Spurs. Ibaka missed the first two games with a calf injury. Unsurprisingly, Oklahoma City was blown out in both games. When he came back in Game 3, the Thunder won the next two.
Ibaka's presence is so crucial to the Thunder's success because he brings so much to the table. As Mark Bruty of ThunderousIntentions.com points out, Ibaka is more than just an elite shot-blocker:
"Ibaka is the Thunder’s best low post presence, he can space the floor right out to the three point arc (especially in the corners), he defends the rim, protects the paint, is a pressure valve on offense and he is an integral part of the rotation and system. When opposing defenses lock into Russ and KD, he provides a viable offensive option without demanding the ball. When opposing teams run the pick and roll, Ibaka is the guy that can stop the ball or meet the roller at the rim.
"
Another factor working in Ibaka's favor is his contract. Ibaka is signed for the next three seasons at a reasonable $12.25 million per year, according to HoopsHype. Jackson, meanwhile, will be a restricted free agent next summer. While Jackson's restricted status gives the team some control, they also have a price limit. It will be tough justifying paying big money for someone the team doesn't even view as a starter.
While the team would love to keep him around, the possibility of trading Jackson will always loom. In the meantime, he will continue to be the team's spark off the bench. As for the team's third wheel, that title goes to Ibaka, who is poised to have a big season of his own this year.
All stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com, unless otherwise noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
