Prior to the 2024-25 season, Ivica Zubac’s averages of nearly a double-double, which had been occurring for almost every season he has been an LA Clipper, gave most fans and experts validation to keep his name out of the top ten centers in basketball.
No debate could even be had from the point of view of Clipper Nation, as a role-playing center hovering around ten points and ten boards, while not having the best perimeter coverage, despite being available, is in no book an elite big man.
Moreover, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić dominated the debate, with players like Alperen Sengün and Jarrett Allen sneaking into the top ten and higher, earning well-deserved All-Star selections in their winning organizations.
However, the 2024-25 Clippers won 50 games in what was the toughest regular season since the days Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a rookie, and Zubac was the team’s second most valuable player until Kawhi Leonard returned. In the playoffs, the Croatian Star was bumped back to number two when James Harden was available but absent simultaneously.
That said, Clipper fans worldwide were praising Zubac’s All-Star campaign once the signs were noticed in November and December. Close to a year later, the NBA community, along with a credentialed insider, seems to agree that LA has an irreplaceable center, which is not an easy find.
‘The Stein Line’ releases the best centers in the Western Conference, and the LA Clippers’ cherished star received a high ranking
In the latest ‘The Stein Line’ publication, the top centers in the Western Conference were ranked, and numbers one and two, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, were easy, unanimous selections. It will likely remain this way, as the order might change, until Jokic’s production slows down, which is not in the near future.
Furthermore, Zubac was third, and this is the ideal ranking for him. NBA fans may consider him a 3A and 3B to Alperen Sengün, as both are excellent. But, the Clippers’ star averaged just 2.3 fewer points, on a field goal percentage that was significantly higher, and made All-Defensive second-team, giving him the clear edge over the Houston Rockets’ one-time All-Star.
New teammate, Chris Paul, who will make a living from feeding Zubac alley-oops and sneaky passes in the pick-and-roll, had encouraging comments for LA’s two-way anchor.
Chris Paul on Ivica Zubac: "I've been a big fan of Zu for a while."
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) July 28, 2025
Throughout 2025-26, Sengün may continue to grow on the Rockets, who are destined for greatness with Kevin Durant, but with how Zubac finished his ninth season, especially in the playoffs, the entire league will unquestionably pencil Big Zu down as one of the world’s best centers.