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LA Clippers: Four things to ponder as we prepare for tip-off

By Jose Salviati

HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 06: Ivica Zubac #40 and Terance Mann #14 of the Los Angeles Clippers fight for position during a free throw attempt with Donatas Motiejunas #12 of the Shanghai Sharks at the Stan Sheriff Center on October 6, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. 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 Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 06: Ivica Zubac #40 and Terance Mann #14 of the Los Angeles Clippers fight for position during a free throw attempt with Donatas Motiejunas #12 of the Shanghai Sharks at the Stan Sheriff Center on October 6, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. 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 Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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LA ClippersLou WilliamsPatrick Beverley (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

What to be cautious about in the Clippers 2019-20 season

This one is easy, the expectations. The Clippers have never started a season as a favorite to win it all. In the 2019-20 season, they are a popular favorite. It’s been said that the reigning champs are the ones with the “target on their backs” as the regular season starts. That rings a little hollow as we enter the 2019-20 season, however. Fans will no doubt swarm to watch the Raptors play, but there is no hatred toward that franchise.

No real fear either.

The target entering this season may very well be on the backs of the team from Los Angeles. Well, the other team from Los Angeles. The team not accustomed to the targets. I’m referring to the Clippers, duh.

Clippers fans are great in that they have a cautious temperament by nature. Years of disappointment does that to a fan. Clippers fans don’t expect the Clippers to win, necessarily, they want them to win. They are cautiously optimistic. As we start the 2019-20 season it’s the Clippers who may have to be cautious as they traverse the regular season in a way they never really have before, as the team to beat.

What to be curious about in the Clippers 2019-20 season

I think it’s a safe bet to say, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harris and Patrick Beverly will be who they have been. In short, there is no real curiosity about what to expect from those guys. Similarly, Doc Rivers is a known entity. There is some curiosity around how the other rookie, Mfiondu Kabengele, might perform. Likewise, will Landry Shamet make a jump in his sophomore season? Another good thing to hang your curiosity hat on. For me though, I’m most curious about the somewhat enigmatic center.

I’m curious about Ivica Zubac.

Everyone outside of the Los Angeles Lakers executive offices was left scratching their heads when the Lakers traded Zubac to the Clippers. It was seen as a solid win for the LAC and big Z showed some promise finishing last season with the Clippers. The coming season will mark Zubac’s fourth in the Association and it certainly seems to be time for him to take a leap forward.

Through three seasons he has career averages of just under seven points and six rebounds per game. Last season, splitting time between both LA teams, he averaged just under nine points and 6.1 rebounds per game. The key for Z is going to be minutes played, however. With the LA Clippers, he averaged 20.2 minutes over 26 games. If he can stay on the floor, he certainly seems able to produce.

It’s a small sample, but Zubac seemed to shine when playing with Kawhi Leonard. Maybe those two will have a connection that will catapult Zubac to his best season. Maybe he averages career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists and blocks while being the rim defender many think the Clippers lack. Maybe this is his season.

Maybe. I’m curious

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