ESP/USA - The shot-blocker turned shot-maker

OKLAHOMA CITY (NBA/Olympics) - Anyone that watched Serge Ibaka play for Spain last summer knows that he has fortified the side with his shot-blocking.

He had five swats in Spain's 98-85 gold-medal game win over France at the EuroBasket in Kaunas last September.

The 2.08m power forward/center of Oklahoma City had led the NBA in swats in 2010-11 and he did again this season, too.

In Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals over the weekend, Ibaka showed another element to his game that could come in handy for Spain at the Olympics this summer in London.

The 22-year-old was a perfect 11 of 11 from the floor.

It was the best shooting performance in the NBA play-offs for 26 years.

Former Boston Celtic Scott Wedman also buried all 11 of his shots from the floor in a game back in 1985.

Ibaka is so good defensively and the Thunder get so much of their offense from Team USA trio Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden that the Spaniard's offense is normally an afterthought for opposing teams.

During the regular season, he averaged 9.1 points per game.

"In the first game against San Antonio, they were leaving me open every time because they know we have good players like Kevin and Russ," Ibaka said.

"So I had some good opportunities to make shots. In the first game, I wasn't making my shots, but I kept working hard and (in Game 4) I made them.

"Maybe for you it was a surprise, but me and my teammates aren't.

"I work hard every day. And after four years, finally I understand."

Ibaka will be one of the star attractions for Spain when they play in Group B at the Olympics against Australia, Brazil, China, Great Britain and a team that comes out of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.


FIBA