Getty
Kawhi Leonar speaks onstage during Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports 2019 at Barker Hangar on July 11, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/KCASports2019/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
Getty
Kawhi Leonar speaks onstage during Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports 2019 at Barker Hangar on July 11, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/KCASports2019/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
The LA Clippers started the 2020 Free Agency on a bad note as they saw former star Montrezl Harrell leave for rivals Los Angeles Lakers. But they got an upgrade on him when they signed 2019 NBA champion Serge Ibaka.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Former NBA champion Brendan Haywood praised the Clippers for this signing during his appearance on NBA TV.
He said, “I like that move because Serge Ibaka fits into what most teams are looking for from a center in today’s basketball. Serge had his best offensive year last year. 15.4 points per game, shot 38% from three, 51% from the field all in 27 minutes. I like what Serge brings to the table.”
“The Clippers got better with this move.” @bwood_33 shares his thoughts on Serge Ibaka and his new squad. #GameTime pic.twitter.com/ZvLO1SjX2v
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 24, 2020
After spending 4 years in Toronto, Ibaka decided to reunite with his former teammate Kawhi Leonard in LA. The Clippers needed a capable replacement following Harrell’s departure, and Ibaka already seems like a better fit for them.
ALSO READ- Former NBA Champion Labels LA Clippers as the Biggest Losers in Free Agency
Can Ibaka help the LA Clippers to overcome their rivals?
Haywood later spoke about how Ibaka is a force on both ends and makes the Clippers a lot better.
“He’s a big that can play in space on both ends,” he said. “Offensively, he creates space because he can shoot the corner threes and the three at the top of the key.
“Defensively, he is able to play in space in the pick and roll, and that’s what the game is all about. He can switch the pick and roll, move in speed, he can still give me some rim protection.
“I think this was an incredible signing for the Clippers. The Clippers got better with this move.”
The biggest challenge for the Clippers will be to beat the Lakers. They are the reigning champions and the best team in the league at the moment. So beating them in a playoff series will give them the confidence to go all the way.
Ibaka will have to shoulder the responsibility of guarding the paint against two elite inside scorers in Anthony Davis and Harrell. This will be an intense matchup, and fans will be disappointed if they are denied for the second year in a row.
ALSO READ- Montrezl Harrell Believes His Former Clippers Teammates’ Understand His Move to the Lakers
