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Indiana Pacers Love/Hate series: Ike Anigbogu

By Tony East

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Ike Anigbogu #13 of the Indiana Pacers blocks dunk by Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Ike Anigbogu #13 of the Indiana Pacers blocks dunk by Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Ike Anigbogu Indiana Pacers
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 24: Ike Anigbogu #13 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 24, 2017, at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What we love about Ike Anigbogu

Let’s start with the best thing about Ike Anigbogu: he is mean protecting the rim.

Anigbogu amassed three blocks in just 30 minutes of pro playing time during the last season, and his block rate was 8.9 percent. That means he swatted away nearly one of every ten opponents two-point field goal attempts. That’s absurdly good.

Someone needs to photoshop a picture of Ike on the end of a pencil because he is an eraser:

That explosion off the weak side block is both what makes him such a great shot blocker and what makes him so captivating overall. He can fly over and erase shots that opponents think they can easily finish. But that explosion also represents his upside on offense.

Ike’s athleticism and his quick jumping ability make him a tantalizing play finisher. He could hypothetically excel at both putbacks and alley-oops, two very efficient and beneficial plays. If he could do this on a consistent basis, he could be a very useful offensive center:

Ike has the tools to be something special. Al Jefferson told me during the season he is “very jealous of Ike’s physical gifts”. Anigbogu just has to recognize them and use them more frequently.

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