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What we learned from the LA Clippers’ preseason home opener

By Garrett Chorpenning

LA Clippers Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LA Clippers Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers and Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets during the preseason on October 10, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers and Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets during the preseason on October 10, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ivica Zubac is more efficient around the rim

Not long after the LA Clippers acquired Ivica Zubac for next-to-nothing last season, fans began to notice that the seven-foot center was having some issues scoring around the rim. His hands weren’t the best, he was rushing shots, and he ultimately looked weaker than bigs of a similar size.

A lot of the issues he was having were caused by numerous hand injuries. In March, he talked about how he couldn’t bend some of his fingers on each hand. That’ll definitely lead to some inconsistency around the rim.

Those injuries have since healed, and it’s easy to notice. Zubac has converted 11-15 attempts from the floor so far this preseason, or 73.3 percent. Against Denver, he scored 10 points on 4-6 shooting. That’s a significant step up from the 53.9 percent he shot with the Clippers last season.

That being said, that number is virtually unsustainable. The highest field goal percentage recorded in a single season was 72.7 percent, a number that Wilt Chamberlain achieved in 1973. Only three players — Chamberlain, DeAndre Jordan and Tyson Chandler — have ever shot above 67.5 percent for a single season.

No one is expecting Zubac to be in that kind of company this season, but based on his early numbers, an increase from 53.9 seems like a reasonable goal for him to achieve.

Admittedly, that does begin to get a bit complicated when considering that Zubac intends to start shooting three-pointers this season. Regardless of what his numbers are there, that will drag down his overall field goal percentage, and perhaps to a range close to that of which he posted last season.

We aren’t as concerned about that, though. Zu’s main issue was scoring in the paint last season, and so long as that’s improved, that’s all that really matters. Having him a consistent, go-to option around the rim will be important for the Clippers as they’re a bit undersized elsewhere.

Next. LA Clippers fans need to pump the brakes on center worries. dark

The LA Clippers don’t suit up again until Sunday when they host Australian club Melbourne United at STAPLES Center at 12:30 p.m. PT. After that, they’ll play just one more preseason game before taking on the Los Angeles Lakers on the regular season’s opening night.

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