Player’s shot blocking creates name change

Instead of saying Ibaka, broadcasters and writers are now referring to the three-year pro as “I-blocka,” for his league-leading blocks per game. Right now, I-blocka is averaging slightly more than three blocks a contest. In the Feb. 9 game against Sacramento, he had 10 blocks. On Tuesday against the Utah Jazz, the athletic forward swatted away six opposing shots.

Sometimes, it’s expected that Serge will get his average each game. Yet, what’s exciting to see is when he bats a shot back into the crowd. That always garners a huge cheer and usually a big smile from his coaches and teammates.

Apparently, his shot-blocking skills get better as the season progresses. In the last 10 games, I-blocka has averaged four blocks a contest.

But it’s not just blocks that get Ibaka attention. He’s also averaging eight points a game and seven rebounds per outing. All of that action occurs in a relatively short amount of game time. So far this season, Ibaka is playing an average of 27 minutes per game.

Even with all of the national media attention, the young man from the Congo remains humble. During an interview last season, he was asked about his time in the NBA and what it meant for him to play at this level. His comments were nothing like his play on the court. Ibaka was modest in his answers. He said he plays the professional game for his family and his country.

He doesn’t talk about statistics or contracts. He talks about team. His comments almost resemble the Rotary Club motto of “Service Above Self.” After all, that’s how the Thunder players and coaches talk after a win or loss. To them, it’s about getting better each game and each season.

So far, Ibaka is proving that he’s following the team motto of constant improvement. His blocks per game and his rebounds per game are up. His point output per game is about the same and his minutes played per game are about the same.

But his defensive prowess has become a staple of Thunder basketball. Teams now fear Ibaka and they’re trying to shoot around him. Certainly, they can’t go right at him because opposing players will feel like flies getting swatted on a hot summer day.

A good hard block can create as much fan enthusiasm as a Kevin Durant slam dunk or a James Harden three-point shot to end the first half. As of now, it appears Ibaka, or I-blocka, will continue his torrid pace of slapping back opposing shots.

The switch from Ibaka to I-blocka may not be a legal name change, but it’s sure to stick as long as opposing shots are batted away.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka blocks a shot against the New York Knicks earlier this season. Ibaka is averaging