Being in the league as a superstar and a role player is a whole different scenario. If a player is a certified superstar, they have a secured future and also some extra perks. For example, being injured for a long time and not losing their place in the squad.
But for role players, the situation is a bit different. In an ever-changing league, teams usually do not wait up for role players. If they are sidelined for a long period of time, the franchise will simply sign someone different.
The Los Angeles Clippers veteran Serge Ibaka seems to be going through this situation. He has been a good player in the NBA and has earned a place in the rotation for numerous years. Ibaka has missed many games since his time in L.A. due to a back injury.
It seems like the big man is ready for a comeback. Before being part of the main roster, he played with the Clippers’ G-League team. Which, according to head coach Tyronn Lue, is something Ibaka asked himself.
Serge recently spoke about his decision to opt-in to play in the G-League and is now heading back towards the main roster. He revealed:
“If you are Kawhi or Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry, those kinds of guys can sit for three years and they are gonna come back, they are gonna give them minutes. They are gonna try to give them confidence. If you are one of those guys then you can stay. But if you are not one of those guys, one of those names out there, sometimes you have to work for yourself to go get your confidence because nobody is going to give you that. If I’m f*****g Kevin Durant, I can sit out 2 years and come back, I will play. If you’re Serge Ibaka, you have to work your way. Nobody’s gonna give you s**t. It’s been like this since my 1st day in the league.”
“If I’m fucking Kevin Durant, I can sit out 2 years and come back, I will play. If you’re Serge Ibaka, you have to work your way. Nobdy’s gonna give you shit. It’s been like this since my 1st day in the league.”
Serge Ibaka on asking to play in the G-League & work his way back. pic.twitter.com/CRlMAOCYkr
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 17, 2021
Ibaka made a perfectly valid point, and the recent example of Kevin Durant was on point too. KD was sidelined due to an injury for an entire year, but when he came back he had his spot secured on the team.
At the same time, one cannot even think about benching Durant if he is healthy. Since generational talents like him, can not only win you games, but trophies as well.
