Although the numbers and eye test on star big man Ivica Zubac have been great all season, he seems to be getting better each night for the LA Clippers. Teams can put their toughest, strongest, and most capable defender on Zubac, and he will still find a way to cook them in the post.
Furthermore, once the NBA community began to notice Zubac’s development, the case for him being a top-ten center in the league was valid. He was cleaning the glass at an elite level and evolved into a legitimate offensive option for head coach Tyronn Lue.
In the offseason, Zubac proved to the world how much he worked on his game, primarily through the Olympics. He perfected the hook shot while also learning how to use his vision in the paint, which opened up a massive door for the Clippers’ offense.
In the defensive aspect, Zubac has been consistently great for the last few seasons. Opposing offenses quite literally have to maneuver the Croatian star in the post, as his quickness allows him to swat shots, even when he is initially beaten to the cup.
Moreover, Zubac’s recent showcases have given him a strong case to be a top-five center in the NBA. Almost no big men in the association can efficiently score and defend the way the Clippers’ star has been since the all-star break.
Ivica Zubac, at his best, is a top-five center in the NBA for the LA Clippers
By the end of the regular season, Ivica Zubac could be selected to the NBA’s all-defensive teams while also being a double-double threat for the LA Clippers. This deserves more recognition, as his two-way domination has been extravagant for Tyronn Lue.
In 66 games on the season, Zubac is averaging 16.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, with a field goal percentage 62.3. These numbers are incredible for being the Clippers’ fourth scoring option in 32.6 minutes.
However, since the all-star break, Zubac has posted 19.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, shooting 65.6% from the floor in 35.4 minutes. He has also put up a net rating of 8.3, the second-best on the Clippers.
That said, from a league-wide perspective, Zubac has received the bare minimum in terms of credit for his excellence. He is one of the biggest reasons why the Clippers are on a three-game win streak and have won six of their last seven games.