Since missing a game-tying tip-in with Houston Rockets in Game 4 of the first round, Ibaka is shooting 23-of-66 from the floor (34. 8 percent). Recently, in the Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 3 loss with the Memphis Grizzlies, he went 6-of-17 in the field (35. 2 percent).
Ibaka coupled on 57. 3 percent of his field-goal attempts over the regular season and is often a 55. 2 percent present shooter for his career, which means his recent stretch of inefficiency is concerning.
"It's all within his mind, " Durant spelled out (via Ramona Shelburne associated with ESPN. com). "If he thinks he'll make those shots, he will make them. "
Durant added that he and other Thunder have to guide instill confidence in Ibaka moving forward, something the forward him self admitted he was lacking. And they need to complete it soon.
Oklahoma City finds itself inside of a 2-1 hole against a good Memphis team it struggled against in the regular season. The Thunder went basically 1-2 when facing the Grizzlies this coming year with Russell Westbrook, and are now attempting to overthrow these individuals without him.
To do this, Durant and company need Ibaka to play defense, but also to bump down his shots. He had a career year concerning efficiency. The potential for him to remain an offensive force will there be. Right now, however, he's become something on the liability.
His 42. 9 percent conversion rate is close to 15 percentage points less than his regular-season clip (57. 3). Ibaka's current shooting rut is additionally the worst of this career.
The 23-year-old has shot below 42 pct from field in some consecutive games. Previously, he'd never gone more as compared to three straight games (playoffs included) without knocking down at least 42 percent of their shot attempts, making the following bout with inefficiency the longest of his career.
If the Thunder want to erase their current set deficit and advance at night Grizzlies, they can't expect Durant to do it by himself. They need a more offensively-economical contribution off their supporting cast, specifically Ibaka.
Although a lot of others need to action up—Kevin Martin is filming just 38. 1 percent in the Grizzlies series—Oklahoma City's primary attention is Ibaka. Sans Westbrook, he's got the Thunder's second-best gamer, and a 30. 8 percent clip for any series just isn't visiting cut it.
"We need to get him confidence, " Durant talked about of Ibaka. "We need to get him some shots and acquire him going. "
More Info: Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams will play the final of Rome
No comments:
Post a Comment