The narrative with the LA Clippers since 2019 has been that Kawhi Leonard is the team’s best and most reliable defender. For the most part, this is true. He has won multiple Defensive Player of the Year trophies and made the All-Defensive second team in back-to-back seasons before his unfortunate ACL injury.
Furthermore, fans were curious how the Clippers would defend without Leonard. Surely, they could have an average scheme after adding Jeff Van Gundy, Kris Dunn, and Derrick Jones Jr., but there was no real anchor like the two-time champion.
Halfway through the year, the Clippers performed better than average; they were elite. In all categories, they were dominating, and this was when fans realized that Leonard was still a great defender, but he was no longer LA’s top dog; it was Ivica Zubac.
Though Zubac’s defensive progression was massive for the Clippers, this is not the only area he improved in. His post-game matured with a sweet floater and hook shot that headlined scouting reports, especially of opponents with a weaker big-man rotation.
Nonetheless, Zubac’s one-year refinements made him a finalist for the Most Improved Player award. Conversely, he was not the winner, which ultimately confirms his peak as the most underrated player in basketball.
Ivica Zubac coming in second place confirms what LA Clippers fans already knew
If the NBA permitted, Ivica Zubac could have been a finalist Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year while earning roster spots on All-NBA and All-Defensive teams. But, understandably, the league has to be fair to those who also deserve the award.
Moreover, Zubac could still make All-NBA and All-Defensive, but he did not win the Most Improved Player award. Atlanta Hawks’ wing, Dyson Daniels, won after a remarkable two-way season.
Daniels was not a bad pick to win, but this award was for Zubac to keep. He played 80 games this season, most of any Clipper, was second on the team in minutes and saw notable increases in points, rebounds, and assists.
Zubac’s campaign was seriously elevated post-All-Star break. He burned defenses through the ground, and the Clippers feasted like they were at an all-you-can-eat buffet. This is all the justification the NBA needed to hand the Croatian star the trophy, but they chose otherwise.
Despite a remarkable season and winning record, Zubac finished with 186 total voting points, which was 146 behind the winner, Daniels, who had 332. Clipper Nation already knew their starting center was underrated, but now the world sees the rationale behind the hypothesis.