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What we learned from the LA Clippers’ bounce back win over Charlotte

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 28, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 28, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 22: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers hi-fives teammates before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 22, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 22: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers hi-fives teammates before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 22, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ivica Zubac is a viable two-way big

The more time Ivica Zubac spends with the LA Clippers, the more comical their trade with the Los Angeles Lakers feels.

Zubac had what was arguably his best game as a Clipper Monday night, tallying seven points, six rebounds and a career-high five blocks in 20 minutes of play. LA was 21 points better with him on the floor in those 20 minutes.

Zubac was a force on both ends of the floor, and will surely show up in highlight reels for those efforts. On offense, he threw down a mean dunk and was efficient in the paint. On defense, he swallowed up Charlotte’s shot attempts, some of which led to points in transition on the other end.

The 22-year-old center has had an impressive start to his season, and he’s certainly looked much better than he did in his first few weeks after the trade. He was a liability in the past due to his slippery grip and his inability to be patient around the rim — both of which have since become strengths of his game.

Zubac also looks undeniably quicker. There was a play in Monday night’s game in which he caught a pass at the Clippers’ three-point line, didn’t put the ball back down, and took off from the middle of the paint to throw down a two-handed jam.

The entire sequence was beautiful, and it showed some of what Zubac has been working on since being traded to the Clippers. This wasn’t something that we saw a lot from him last season, and it’s important that he continues to work at it. It’ll be difficult for any team to stop the seven-footer from scoring in that type of situation, especially when he’s burrowing down the lane that quickly.

Most importantly, Zubac has played his best basketball when he’s been on the floor with Kawhi Leonard this season. Given that he figures to spend plenty of time on the floor for LA this season, Leonard could be Zu’s ticket to playing more minutes this year and, ultimately, bringing his game to another level.

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