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It took a few weeks, but Serge Ibaka’s contract coronation is officially complete.
With a few schedule conflicts interfering like Ibaka traveling to Africa for a few weeks and Sam Presti getting married, the Thunder finally held Ibaka’s post-extension press conference Monday at the Boys and Girls Club in Oklahoma City.
It was mostly your standard “we’re excited” “I’m excited” “you’re excited” type of presser, but Ibaka did want to make something clear: He’s a fan of money. He has 18 brothers and sisters, he likes clothes and he’s a human being with a brain. Of course he likes money. It’s just that it isn’t the most important thing to him, at least not when it came to signing his extension with the Thunder.
“Man, I’m going to tell you,” he said with that awesome rapid fire African accent, “you know, money is very important too. It’s important for everybody here. Because everybody wants to work hard to have a good life. Same like you. But also, it’s not the only thing. Money will not make you happy. It’s most important that you need to be happy. You need to do something you want to do. I have a contract right now that will help me, my family, everything. But it’s not all.”
Of course what Ibaka is referencing is his decision to sign for less than what his likely market value would’ve been had he gone to restricted free agency next summer. Ibaka signed a four-year extension worth just under $50 million, obviously a very nice contract, but one that’s probably not all he could’ve gotten. His desire was to remain in Oklahoma City, plain and simple.
“For me it was important for me to stay, and finish what we started. And I think we can do it,” he said. “And I think this is my place, where I need to be. I don’t care what people say about this city or big city, no, I’m happy here.”
The ink barely dried on Ibaka’s extension before people started turning to James Harden’s situation. And with Ibaka proactively talking about money and his decision not to chase every penny, it makes one wonder: Did he do that with Harden in mind? Does he feel like he left money on the table?
“Man, that’s something I was wishing [to get a new contract],” Ibaka said. “I don’t want to think about to give up or to not. It was most important for me to stay. If you be thinking about you give up or no, it can’t work like that. If you want to do something with your heart, you need to forget about if I would give or give up. Just do it for your happiness. And I’m very happy.”
If you didn’t notice, Ibaka is pretty happy. Also happy: Sam Presti and the Thunder.
“When you have an opportunity to keep somebody in your organization that’s helped create an identity and is committed to those ideals, you have to work hard to figure that out and make it happen, on both ends of things,” Presti said.
I find that quote potentially revealing. Because you could easily apply every bit of it to Harden and his future. There’s no doubt Harden is extremely valued by the organization, that he helped create this identity, that he’s committed to the culture and that he wants to stay. So as Presti said, you have to work hard and make it happen. Which I think they will, eventually.
“He’s a very important player for our team and we need him for our team,” Ibaka said of Harden. “I think would be better if Sam told you because that’s not something I can control.”
But this was Ibaka’s day and though the cloud of Harden hovered over every bit of it, don’t lose sight that the Thunder just locked up the league’s premier shot blocker and a rapidly evolving and developing 23-year-old power forward for the next five years. Both Presti and Scott Brooks recounted Ibaka’s first NBA action, a couple minutes right before halftime against the Pistons his rookie year, and looking back, the development and maturation in his game is almost staggering. He’s gone from a physical specimen that was completely lost on the court to a skilled and smooth power forward.
Presti recalled one of his first meetings with Ibaka, a breakfast in a hotel following the 2008 draft where Oklahoma City selected him 24th overall. “At the time, he didn’t speak great English,” Presti said. “But in my experience with him, he spoke to me through his eyes. He had unbelievable determination. You could tell this was a very focused individual.”
Ibaka doesn’t seem to do anything slowly. He learned Spanish in a year and has picked up English over the last few. So it’s really no surprise that he’s developed as rapidly as he has on the floor. When he puts his mind to something, he gets it done. Presti and Brooks spoke a lot about Ibaka’s fierce competitive nature, something that’s obvious on the floor with him inhaling the ball after free throws, biting it after bad fouls or trying to rip Mike Dunleavy’s arm off and beat him with it. Ibaka plays with immense passion and emotion, something that is contagious.
“This is not only an athletic player that shoots the ball well but this is a player that has supreme competitiveness,” Presti said. “This is a player that has an internal disciple as a work ethic. That’s a quality we look for in all our players and he embodies them.”
Sure, Ibaka has room to improve. But again, that’s the beauty of it. He has room to improve. He’s not a finished product. The canvas isn’t blank, but there’s still a good amount of white space. What happens in the near future with Harden and the Thunder is naturally a concern and a valid focus. But don’t forget the Thunder signed Serge Ibaka. Even it’s a month after the fact.
SAM PRESTI, SERGE IBAKA AND SCOTT BROOKS
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PRESTI
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IBAKA
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http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/09/lebron-and-kd-are-working-out-together-again/#comments
@DennisBerry did you ever sell your tickets on stub hub?
When are we gonna get a harden deal? I want it before the season even though it probably won't happen.
@f5alcon it won't happen until next summer unless harden decides he'll take less than max. I think what woj said on CBS sports tv a few weeks ago was true because he has a great relationship with Kobe and his agent (also hardens agent)
also the tone presti spoke in today about Harden made me believe it even more. I think we'll ultimately sign him but it probably won't be til next summer.
Good old Cole. Tweeting about his tough workout today, oh wait, I mean his golf outing.
@Old Man Game Tweets about working out at KU, gets shit.
Tweets about golfing, gets shit.
@Jooseppi Nobody gets anything from me for their tweets. I just don't have that much love for my phone. Darn thing needs me too much as it is.
@Crownme I really hope people don't read too much into my tweets. I don't want any questions about why I was thinking about late '90s facial hair at 3 a.m.
@Jooseppi @Old Man Game Sucks at basketball, Justin loves him.
@DennisBerry @Jooseppi @Old Man Game Justin has never said he loves him, he just wants to see him play minutes
@Jooseppi Decently done. Jealousy isn't the issue, just want his sorry ass on another team so we can sign someone useful.
@DennisBerry He's made millions playing basketball, Dennis jealous.
@Old Man Game Working out the core muscles.
Hey how would you guys all like to get together and do this banter thing in real life? Nov 21, the Los Angeles Clippers come into town and I got a Summit Box Suite (30 tickets) with boxed meal, free non alcoholic drinks, and group postgame photo all included in the $70 ticket and want you all to be there. I have a few people down already. Get at me 580.647.341seven or dennis.berry12 on facebook if you want more details. It's going to be a great time.
That is really good of you. I doubt that my wife will give up our seats for it but I will ask her.
@Crownme Just put your seats for that night on the ticketexchange, stubhub, or even Craigslist for a profit and hang out with your DailyThunder breathren. I promise I won't make eyes at your wife or stare at her or anything if that's what's causing the apprehension
@Crownme
Cleandoe = OBoyzOld Man? EatSleepThunder and bmuelle21 probably have a stack of identities. Plus all the fake trolls . . .
@Crownme @ThunderChick2010 Jax. I mean Royce.
@Crownme
I could never do it either. Surely, I'd mess it up.
@ThunderChick2010 Really? Alter-ego of other posters? Who as time for more than one make-believe life?
@DennisBerry Funny, "Kobe fouled by Thabo" has the most hits o the suggestions list to the right
@Crownme Man I'm not sure any other fanbase stands up as long as Thunder fans do. Something good happens we're up, something bad, we're up, bad call, we're up, end of quarter we're up, end of shotclock, great shot, bad shot, something exciting possibly bout to happen (like when Russ starts in transition), to our feet. It's amazing, can get annoying though if you don't want to have to stand up 75% of the game to see though
Ever wish the old guy would move?
@ThunderChick2010 @Crownme TC, it's VERY easy to sell tickets though. You can literally do it from Ticketmaster without requiring any work from you other than clicking sell and naming a price, you don't have to email, drive to the post office or anything. TicketExchange does all the work, plus it's the Clippers so you can sell it well above face and make a profit.
@Crownme Y'all courtside lower level? my season seat is 102 which is right above the tunnel the Thunder girls come out, 4th row. They dance there all game too. Much like you, I can tell how well they shaved or not too and I'm not talkin bout their faces. Here's a video I shot from my seats http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuyWRuho2UY&feature=share&list=UUwX62e--5Q9EJtTqUPpmeqw
Row B, I think at 5 seats from center court. She loves being close.
@DennisBerry @Crownme
DB, I'm guessing this is part of why the response to this has been kinda light compared to your Blue Alliance get-togethers. Many posters already have tickets, live far away, or are alter-egos of other posters.
It ain't the face value. It's that you can see their faces from our seats. Like how well or whether they shaved.
@Crownme What is the face value of your season tickets for that night? I'll buy them from you for face then you can buy the DT Get 2gether tickets and not be out any money
Oh hayell no, she alone is the sole source of my every apprehension and always has been and ever will.
Not me. Nov. 21st is my 30th wedding aniversary. It went really fast.
@El Prez
Where you taking me?
@TaoMaas
Thanks! It must be mutual. :)
@ThunderChick2010 I just like the folks at Gaberino's and was glad to see them being mentioned. You have good taste! :-)
@TaoMaas
I hope you know this is an extended joke. I'm far more devoted to Gaberino's than El Prez. :)
@ThunderChick2010 Its actually the 30th anniversary of buying a super top shelf rum. He'll spend his night drinking the rum and watching Patrick Swayze movies.
@ThunderChick2010 The couple who owns it are nice folks, too. Glad you like going there.
@El Prez
Bet you're talking about Tarahumara? My other favorite Italian place is Bravo! on Memorial & Penn. We'll do that next year!
Seriously, congrats on your 30 years--assuming you make it another couple of months. Not sure if you're as intense in real life as you are around here, but I'm guessing Mrs. El Prez must have the patience of a saint to put up with you all these years. :)
Never been. Vitos, Othellos, and Michael's are my Italian comfort zone. Norman has three of my favorite genre restauants though. The Mexican place on Porter which I can never properly pronounce. Camp's BBQ on Porter as well. And a little bar/deli called Bison Witches on Main. Yeah--I need to try Gaberino's. I love everything Italian. I'd probably go with some sort of combo with spaghetti, egg plant parmesan and merlot. A great book on Italian cuisine is John Grisham's Playing for Pizza. The exiled third string QB for the Cleveland Browns gets exiled to Parma, Italy of the Italian Football League. The eating scenes in the book...make the book.
@El Prez
You ever been to Gab's? They seriously have the best cup of coffee in Norman. I bet I get more of a thrill out of that coffee than you do any glass of wine. :)
You're probably right. What difference wlll it make? I'll have two glasses on wine at Gaberino's and I assume we'll be at the alpha Warren theatre where I can keep drinking. I'll be blitzed before the previews are over in case another Young Adult lay in lurk. I have to ask---how can you really enjoy Italian food without the wine?
@El Prez
Vegas is kind of a high-maintenance vacation. Cruise? Beach? Really, I want to do a train ride across the Rockies and down the Pacific coast someday. This is getting expensive. Maybe you just better let me pick the movie. :)
I don't really like Vegas. Maybe we could get on a train and go to San Antonio and hit Howl At The Moon Piano Bar. Vegas is just so cheap and tawdry. San Diego would be nice.
@El Prez
Too lazy to scroll up? Vegas! It's the 30th after all.
@ThunderChick2010 What was the alternate suggestion?
@Crownme @Jooseppi
They might all just be you . . .
@El Prez
I see you're ignoring my alternate suggestion.
@Jooseppi @ThunderChick2010 So this alter ego of an alter ego has me thinking, I probably like the poster most that I like the least - if they do it right. Right?
I would hope you wouldn't want to miss it. I'm telling you...I'm not hateable.
@El Prez
Jax?
jk . . . I wouldn't miss it.
So who exactly would I be going to Gaberino's, the Warren, and the coffee shop with?
@ThunderChick2010 We're all alter egos, so in a way, yes.
@Jooseppi
You're talking to me, right?
You're the best.
@El Prez
Since I picked the Italian restaurant, you can pick the movie. Just as long as it's not a bloodbath.
How could he possibly hate me? I'm not hateable.
@El Prez @Jooseppi
He helped me recommend it, remember. Maybe he hates you. :)
@Jooseppi Did you really like it or are you jist dicking with me?
@Jooseppi @El Prez
Your TSN is in the toilet now.
@El Prez Yeah, I liked it.
I'll go stick my head in the tub.
@El Prez
He has good taste. He liked it.
Have you seen that shit-ass movie?
@El Prez I vote for Young Adult...
Who would get to pick the movie?
@El Prez
Oh but this is a 30th . . . so I take that back. I want to go to Vegas.
@El Prez
Gaberino's in Norman, a good movie at the Warren, coffee shop later. Perfect.
Pretend like the Thunder didn't really exist...what would be your second choice?
@El Prez
I wanna go to the Thunder game, of course! Btw, the train scene from Dreamscape (Dennis Quaid and Kate Capshaw) was better.
Where would you like to go? Maybe we could get on one of those trains you love and do the Tommie Cruise---Rebecca Demornay train scene. I promise I won't babble about scientology as Phli Collins wafts in the background.