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.
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.