Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says former LA Clippers teammate is getting better every season, ‘he’s always been smart’

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came out on top in a close fought win against his former team.

Nobody should be dismissing the LA Clippers as a post-season threat, not with the vast experience of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

The only variable yet to be determined is whether they can land a top six seeding in the Western Conference, or if they will have to go through the Play-In tournament, a path Norman Powell has expressed his distaste for.

The Clippers showed just how hard to beat they will be when they ran top seed Oklahoma City Thunder close on March 23, narrowly losing 101-103.

Facing the LA Clippers is always an notable challenge for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was traded away by the team as part of the package for Paul George.

While this has proved to be a costly mis-step from the Clippers, it was a swing they were comfortable making at the time, and there are no ill-feelings on either side.

SGA still retains a relationship with his former Clippers teammates, and enjoys going up against them.

And after the match-up between the two teams, Gilgeous-Alexander took time out to praise Ivica Zubac.

He told his press conference: “He’s gotten better, it feels like every year, which is impressive, but yeah, Zu’s always like, he’s always know how to play.

“He’s always been smart, and then he’s just put together the skill part of it in the past couple years, and because of it, he’s one of the best bigs in the league.”

Ivica Zubac has taken a leap forward this season, with Kawhi Leonard praising his development after he posted his third 20-20 game of the season.

Lakers legend James Worthy expressed regret he was no longer playing on his old team, following a Clippers win over them back in December.

And the numbers back up Zubac’s improvement, with his points per game taking a sizeable leap.