Garrett Chorpenning
Zubac’s lack of minutes
I’m the lone member of this group that isn’t a Seinfeld guy, and as such, I’m a bit new to this whole “Festivus” thing. After some research, I’ve found that this holiday is a little… well, out there. I think I can fit in though, as there are definitely a few issues I’ve had with this LA Clippers team this year.
Most of the issues are minor, and you could talk me out of them if you tried. After all, it’s hard to be too upset about anything when your team is in the running for the NBA title for the first time in forever.
There’s one thing that stands out that I just can’t understand though, and that’s Ivica Zubac‘s lack of minutes.
One of this team’s biggest weaknesses is its lack of size, yet Zu — the only seven-footer n the roster and the tallest rotation player by at least four inches — is only logging 17 minutes per contest.
It’s not like he can’t play, either. Zu looks like a completely different player than the one we saw late last season, making significant improvements on both ends of the floor. He looks more confident, agile and skilled, and he’s developed excellent chemistry with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. His game is something of a best-case scenario right now, and he’s looking more valuable as each day passes.
But they still won’t play him in the fourth quarter.
Zubac has been used most heavily in the first quarter this season, where he’s taken 78 of his 174 total shot attempts on the year. Compare that to the fourth, where he’s taken just eight, and you’ll begin to see what I’m getting at here.
Yes, Zubac has his weaknesses and I understand that Montrezl Harrell needs a large share of the minutes at center. But why not play those two together at times? Especially when the opposing team has a big that Trezz can’t handle on defense?
Hopefully, we’ll see more of that in 2020, but if not, it won’t just be me shouting angrily at the clouds about Zu’s lack of minutes.