The NBA Playoffs 2014 is almost over with the finals just ahead of the horizon. The Oklahoma Thunder, however, is dealing with a heavy blow with the loss of shot-blocking forward Serge Ibaka. While MVP Kevin can play power forward, who will replace him at 3?
Even if some of the San Antonio Spurs believed that Serge Ibaka might come back at some point during the seven-game series for the NBA Playoffs 2014 Western Conference Finals, Thunder coach Scott Brooks already said that Nick Collison will play in his stead.
Serge Ibaka suffered a Grade 2 strain of the plantaris on the left leg in game seven against the Los Angeles Clippers and ESPN reported that it's the kind of injury that needs a lot of time to heal.
In the NBA Playoffs 2014, Serge Ibaka has averaged 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 13 games.
The Los Angeles Times Bleacher Report, meanwhile, proposed that MVP Kevin Durant is equally deadly at the four because he can just blow by all the slow and big power forwards of the league.
Although listed as 6'9" in the NBA official roster page, MVP Kevin Durant is probably closer to 7' when compared to the other seven-footers. He also played a lot of four during games, per 82games.com, which revealed that 30% of the time, the sweet-shooting Durant switches to power forward.
"Switching Durant over to the 4 isn't the issue; finding a replacement at the 3 is," the Bleacher Report said.
Either the OKC Thunder can play small, which means Thabo Sefolosha switches to small forward with guard Reggie Jackson at two, or the team will maximize Caron Butler, whose natural position has always been at the three.
"Going smaller is the most sensible way to address a potential scoring deficit," Rob Mahoney wrote for Sports Illustrated. "The Thunder bigs are good for utility points only."
