For Serge Ibaka of the Toronto Raptors, being on a championship parade was just a dream. Now, after winning the title and heading to the streets of Toronto to celebrate with the fans, he's already living it.
On Monday, the Raptors went on a six-hour championship parade all over Toronto. Ibaka, who grew up in the Congo, recalled how he dreamt of participating in a parade one day.
“Oh man, I was living my dream,” Ibaka said, per Erik Koreen of The Athletic. “When I was young I used to watch this on TV, and I was like, ‘Man, I would love to be there one day.’ And look here, I am now here. I’m just so thankful and I’m living my dream, man.”
Ibaka was the 24th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He quickly rose to prominence as one of the best big man defenders in the league, leading the NBA in blocks in 2012 and 2013. In just his third year in the league, he helped the Oklahoma City Thunder make it all the way to the 2012 NBA Finals, but the Thunder were ousted by the Miami Heat in five games.
He admitted that he, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant were pretty young during that time and didn't know how to handle the situation. But as luck, skill, and perseverance would have it, Ibaka found himself back in the NBA Finals again. This time, he knew exactly what to do. And that's to knock down open shots and defend like the elite defender that he is.
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