Serge continues his surge

Serge Ibaka explained his second-year surge with one word.

Confidence.

“It’s very important,” Ibaka said.

In just 86 career games, Ibaka has transformed himself from a mystery draft pick to a spot starter for the Oklahoma City Thunder. With customary starting power forward Jeff Green having missed seven games this season with a nagging left ankle injury, Ibaka has steadied the frontcourt with his improved play.

Serge continues his surge The Thunder is 6-1 with Ibaka in the starting lineup entering tonight’s game against Minnesota. Ibaka has averaged 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocked shots and one steal in 32 minutes per game as a member of the first five.

“Serge works hard,” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. “Every minute he’s on the floor he’s going to give his best. But like all of our guys, it’s not going to always look great.”

Ibaka’s ups and downs were visible over the past week.

At Utah last Monday, Ibaka was a key contributor in the Thunder’s 115-108 win. He scored a career-high 22 points on nine of 13 shooting while pulling down 11 rebounds. Ibaka ended the week, however, with a foul-plagued 20 minutes at Milwaukee on Saturday. He scored four points with only six rebounds and was benched four minutes into the game for what appeared to be a missed assignment that led to a Bucks offensive rebound.