Serge Ibaka reveals main reason for his decision to join Bayern, NBA Draft story / News - Basketnews.com

Serge Ibaka revealed Pablo Laso was the main reason he decided to sign with Bayern Munich.

Credit: Christina Pahnke via Getty Images Credit Christina Pahnke via Getty Images

FC Bayern Munich fans have one person to thank for Serge Ibaka's decision to join the German team.

Points this season

46%79,6Points made:79,6Accuracy:45,7%Place in standings:13Record max:112Record min:59Best scorer:Serge IbakaTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The 34-year-old center was a guest on The Crossover podcast with Joe Arlauckas, where he shared some interesting details.

"One of the biggest reasons [for my decision to join Bayern] was Pablo Laso," Ibaka revealed. " I know Pablo since Madrid when I went to play there during the NBA lockout. I kind of knew him already as a person, as a coach."

Ibaka also revealed he had other options on the table.

"Before the call with Pablo, my agent told me about different [EuroLeague] options, and I said no. I was trying to focus on coming back to the NBA," Ibaka said. "I was not sure and did not think too much about playing here before the call with Pablo."

"I picked up the phone and listened out of the respect that I have for Pablo. I don’t know if this guy has a magic talk, but he was able to change my mind," he added.

During the podcast, Ibaka covered many topics, including the present and the past. One of them was Bayern's chances of making the play-in.

"We go game-by-game. We know that every game is very important now. We have to focus on game-by-game. It will not be easy, but we have confidence. As the season goes on, we are getting better and better," Ibaka said.

"With EuroLeague, it feels like the playoffs already," Ibaka made a comparison with the NBA. "It's crazy. You have to come out and play every game. It's crazy, but crazy fun."

Ibaka also revealed he could have been drafted higher than 24th pick but it was his decision that led to such fate.

"The Washington Wizards had the No. 18 pick, and Oklahoma City had the 24th pick. Before the Draft, I told my agent that after the Draft, I'd like to go back to Spain for one more year. I wanted to feel ready, and at that time, I didn't think I was ready to go straight to the NBA.

One great thing about my agent is that he always believed in me. He told me, 'I don't know if this will work because if Washington drafts you, they want you to come right away, but Oklahoma has the 24th pick, and they are okay with it.'So, I turned down the 18th pick just because I wanted to play for one more year in Spain," Ibaka said.

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