LA Clippers: 7 Questions We Have After the First 7 Games

Dec 11, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka (9) and Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) go up for a jump ball to start the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka (9) and Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) go up for a jump ball to start the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 21: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers reacts after a foul during the game against the Orlando Magic at Staples Center on February 21, 2020 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 21: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers reacts after a foul during the game against the Orlando Magic at Staples Center on February 21, 2020 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Does Zubac really belong on the bench unit?

When the LA Clippers signed Serge Ibaka, it was my assumption, and that of many other people, that Ibaka was coming in to play backup center behind Ivica Zubac. So far in the season, though, that hasn’t been the case, as Serge has taken the starting role.

My question, 7 games in, is are we sure Zu is best fit on this team’s second unit? Statistically, the team’s defense is 12.4 points per 100 possessions worse when Zu is on the floor compared to when he’s off. And, look, we really can’t blame him completely for that.

The most common 5 man rotation so far involving Zubac is PG/Reggie/Luke/Lou/Zu. It would take a Herculean effort to turn that into a positive defensive lineup. I’m not hating on him for not being able to do that.

But Zu is a very traditional defensive center. He’s a little slow on his feet, especially laterally, and makes his bones defending against drives and in the post. But that might not be the kind of center that needs to play alongside the Lou/Luke/Reggie trio.

Ibaka’s losing agility with age, but he’s still a little more able to get around the court. You don’t want him defending guards on the perimeter, which is why CP3 was hunting him last game, but I trust Serge a bit more when it comes to moving around to cover up mistakes.

Next. Where the LA Clippers fall in Power Rankings after seven games. dark

I wouldn’t mind seeing Zu+starters get some run, and seeing how Serge plays with the bench unit. With Ty Lue being more than willing to tinker with lineups, I won’t be shocked to see that come up sometime in the regular season.