Raptors big man Serge Ibaka has been known to let his fists do the talking instead of his mouth.
He was suspended for three games this season for unloading on Cavs forward Marquese Chriss.
Serge Ibaka has been suspended three games without pay and Marquese Chriss has been suspended one game without pay for their involvement in a fight during last night's game.pic.twitter.com/IMQB4DACrH— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 12, 2019
When asked if he'll talk trash to former Thunder teammate Kevin Durant when the Raptors face the Warriors in the NBA Finals starting on Thursday, Ibaka had the perfect answer.
Ibaka, JOKINGLY, on whether he'll trash talk with former teammate Kevin Durant: "I don't really like to talk trash. Either I'm going to fight you or I'm going to stay silent. I don't know how to talk trash. Maybe that's one of my issues."— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 28, 2019
Sports
Ibaka: "Sometimes you have to talk a little bit if you're mad. I like just to be quiet and then I keep holding, holding, holding. Then when it comes out, you know... But I'm getting better. I'm getting better, right guys?"— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 28, 2019
Important caveat from Serge: "I'm not going to fight. I'm joking. I'm joking. Make sure you say that, I'm joking. I know some reporters they take that part away and they're going to say Serge just wants to fight. No. I'm saying again, I'm joking. I'm not going to fight."— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 28, 2019
The 10-year NBA veteran is clearly joking. One thing that's no joke to him, however, is when he and Durant were teammates on Oklahoma City and blew a 3-1 lead to the Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference finals.
Ibaka said OKC's Game 5 loss to the Warriors in the 2016 West Finals, up 3-1, was the worst loss of his career, still haunts him. "Man, that hurts. Anytime I think about it, man, it still hurts. I'm so thankful now I have another opportunity to play against them."— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 28, 2019
[RELATED: Durant will travel to Toronto for NBA Finals]
While Durant will miss at least Game 1 of the Finals with a right calf strain, Ibaka is seeking revenge on the Warriors and hopes to bring the Raptors their first ever title.
The real question, though, is what language did the multi-lingual Ibaka answer these questions in on Tuesday?