When Real Madrid signed locked-out Oklahoma City Thunder blocksmith Serge Ibaka, he figured to be the missing piece to a puzzle the Spanish side’s been seeking for a few seasons now: A swatting specialist with speed, defensive skills and the proverbial tremendous upside.
Today, Spain-based Tu Basket reveals that, prior to Ibaka signing with Real, Madrid also had another NBA player on the hook for about the same price, namely the Portland Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge. Reportedly, Madrid officials at that time preferred the possibilities with Ibaka, since the Blazer would need time to adapt and would be doing his first stint outside the U.S.; Aldridge’s attacking play also essentially represents a diametric opposite to Ibaka’s game.
Tu Basket correctly points out that perhaps the Madrid brain trust overlooked the fact that Aldridge had been good friends and teammates with Sergio Rodriguez since the latter first came to Portland in 2006.
Ibaka’s play has been lackluster for Real Madrid in both Euroleague and Liga Endesa competition. While second-best in the EL in blocks per minute, Ibaka is playing just 12 per game while averaging just 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds – serious comedowns from his 2010-11 season with the Thunder. His numbers are hardly better in Spain: In 12.0 minutes per game, his line reads 4.8 ppg, 2.8 rbg and 1.0 bbg.
Signed to a three-month deal, the expiration of Ibaka’s contract would allow Real Madrid to sign a replacement in early January. Would that be the time, wonders Tu Basket, to rectify a mistake and pen Aldridge?
Tags: ACB, Euroleague, Euroleague 2011-12, Liga Endesa, Marcus Aldridge, NBA, NBA lockout, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Real Madrid, Serge Ibaka, Sergio Rodriguez, Spain
[...] Spanish-based Tu Basket reports (Hat tip: BallinEurope.com) that Real Madrid opted for Ibaka because they worried about Aldridge’s adaptation time to [...]
[...] Serge Ibaka disappointing; Real Madrid to get another chance at LaMarcus … – BallinEurop… [...]
[...] BallinEurope.com translates Nanclares’ report and makes it sound like there’s a chance Aldridge could replace Ibaka if things don’t improve. [...]
[...] BallinEurope [...]
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Wow. Aldridge is a lot better than Ibaka. For those of you who don’t follow the NBA, Aldridge is probably the most under rated player in the league after Zach Randolph. He is on Deron William’s level and will be the best player in Euroleague and immediately make Real Madrid favorites. If Kirilenko could so dominate Euroleague, imagine what Aldridge would do!
[...] Spanish-based Tu Basket reports (Hat tip: BallinEurope.com) that Real Madrid opted for Ibaka because they worried about Aldridge’s adaptation time to Europe [...]
Yeah Gabe, he might even be almost half as good as Spanoulis is.
The same Spanoulis who couldn’t get off the bench in the NBA?
Spanoulis is by far best player of this Euroleague so far. He is much higher quality player than ones like Batum, Kirilenko, Galinari, Farmar, etc.
Batum is like total scrub compared to him actually.
Hmmm. How do you judge the best player? Kirilenko has a higher ranking in Euroleague and his team is undefeated while Spanoulis’ team is at .500. Batum, the “total scrub” is ranked just bellow Spanoulis and his team has the same record and he has two player of the week awards. I don’t know how the best player can be on a team that is .500? I think we should give Vassilis Spanoulis a new nickname, Kill Bill is old. How about Vassilis “11th place” Spanoulis or Vassilis “can’t get off the bench in the NBA” Spanoulis or, my personal favorite, Vassilis “.500″ Spanoulis?
[...] BallinEurope reverse jinx works again … two days after BiE posted (via Tu Basket) that perhaps folks in Real Madrid land weren’t too happy with Serge Ibaka’s performance for Los Blanc…, the no-longer locked out Oklahoma City Thunderer became the block machine again against Spirou [...]
Spanoulis is clearly the best player in the Euroleague right now. This Gabe guy is a moron.
[...] Ball in Europe says Serge Ibaka has been “lackluster” in while playing for Real Madrid. He’ll play his final game for the Spanish ball club Thursday. “ [...]
[...] this, Ibaka merely contributing single-digit scoring with a block or 1.5 per game in Spain and in the EL f…, until suddenly unleashed and blowing up just as the lockout ended for back-to-back games of five [...]
[...] Ball in Europe says Serge Ibaka has been “lackluster” in while playing for Real Madrid. He’ll play his final game for the Spanish ball club Thursday. ” [...]