No. 2 rotation mistake Coach Ty Lue must avoid: Starting Ivica Zubac over Serge Ibaka
The LA Clippers would still have a great starting lineup with Ivica Zubac in it, but it would be better if they started Serge Ibaka instead.
Ibaka is much more experienced, and works in many more matchups than Zubac does due to Zubac not being the most agile and mobile.
I’m not trying to say that Ibaka is a speedster, but he can move a bit better than Zubac, and while he may not have the height Zubac has, he certainly has the length. He blocked over a shot per game last year, which Zubac did not.
Ibaka has a much better resume when it comes to shot blocking, as he’s averaged two per game over the course of his career. Zubac has never averaged even one.
And offensively, just look at last year. It was one of the worst years Ibaka’s ever had offensively, but he was still significantly better than Zubac. He averaged 11.1 points per game to Zubac’s 9.
Ibaka was the better free throw shooter, and still can drain shots from deep. He only shot 33.9% from deep, but that’s not bad for a center. He’s a 35.9% career three-point shooter, and I want that on the court.
Ibaka provides size while stretching the floor. The Clippers don’t even have to go as small if he’s out there. I like Zubac, but Ibaka is the better option.