The Real Madrid defeat in the Copa del Rey final has sparked a fire among the basketball section, with several concerns coming to the forefront. One of the primary issues is the club’s doubts about renewing Dzanan Musa’s contract, which could lead to the departure of Dennis Smith Jr. after playing only 35 minutes. Now, it seems Serge Ibaka’s discomfort with his role in the team has also been brought to light.
Ibaka feels very dissatisfied with his current role in Madrid, and it’s clear he’s disappointed with the situation. What the club promised him at the beginning of the season hasn’t come to fruition, and he’s been overshadowed by Edy Tavares, with a very limited role to play. To make matters worse, the team signed Bruno Fernando until the end of the season with an option to extend, which has further reduced Ibaka’s playing time – and that of Usman Garuba. His frustration is so great that he’s considering leaving the team now.
So far this season, Ibaka has averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 6.6 assessment in 12:49 minutes per game in the Endesa League, playing in 16 games. His numbers in the Euroleague are similar, with 12:48 minutes per game, 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.5 valuation. It’s worth noting that Ibaka feels his efforts aren’t being valued by the club, despite his excellent professionalism and rigorous training routines. He’s usually one of the first to arrive at Valdebebas and the last to leave, which has helped him maintain an impressive physical condition, even at 35 years old. However, the passage of time is starting to show in some matches.
Ibaka’s Future at Real Madrid
The situation with Ibaka raises questions about his future at Real Madrid. Will he decide to leave the team, or can the club find a way to address his concerns and keep him on board? Only time will tell, but it’s clear that something needs to change to prevent Ibaka from becoming the latest casualty of the team’s uncertainty.
A Chance for Real Madrid to Reflect
The Copa del Rey final defeat and Ibaka’s discontent serve as a wake-up call for Real Madrid. The team needs to take a step back, assess the situation, and figure out how to move forward. With several key players facing uncertain futures, the club must make some tough decisions to get back on track. Will they be able to turn things around, or will the current woes continue to haunt them? The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of the team.