The Los Angeles Clippers are bearing the fruits of patiently developing a star player they acquired years ago into one of the best in his position today.
The Los Angeles Clippers are finding ways to remain competitive every season despite the major internal changes they face. Last season ended with injury drama around Kawhi Leonard before Paul George walked in free agency. While George’s decision is being heavily criticized, the Clippers have remained competitive.
The Clippers are coming off a season-defining 132-119 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The win encapsulated all the reasons why this season’s Clippers have been a special team to watch. They’re 39-30 this season.
The development of stars like Norman Powell has been crucial in their continued success. James Harden still being capable of 50-point outings is an incredible asset, especially with his unmatched on-ball playmaking being his biggest tool.
Even with Kawhi’s injury issues continuing, Coach Ty Lue has maximized his roster and they’re in a Playoff position as a result. However, it’s the contributions of one star that’s been the biggest difference-maker this season.
Ivica Zubac put up 28 points and 20 rebounds in the team’s win over the NBA-leading Cavaliers. This was Zubac’s third 20-20 game of the season, with the Croatian center emerging as a genuine All-Star caliber player.
Zubac is the longest-tenured Clipper on the roster, joining in February 2019 from the Lakers, months before Kawhi Leonard in the 2019 free agency. Leonard remarked on how Zubac’s development over the years created the player we see today.
“As years go you get better. He definitely wasn’t ready to get the ball in the earlier years when I was here, he progressed. He wasn’t scoring on smalls as easily, getting the ball swiped out of his hands. Now he’s being more aggressive. When it’s two on him, he’s dunking the ball… As you get more touches, you start to get more patient… Just more efficient, too. With his hook shots and everything.”
Leonard perfectly complemented Zubac’s incredible performance. He put up 33 points in the win, looking like he’s ramped up and Playoff-ready.
With Zubac successfully carrying this load as the team’s center, everyone will be glad to see him continue succeeding.
For years, Zubac has been a rotational workman starting center. He’d do the little things, grab rebounds, protect the rim, and finish the occasional offensive possession. With an increased role this season in the wake of George’s departure, Zubac is averaging 16.4 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.
The presence of a point guard like James Harden is always advantageous to a player like Zubac. However, the center has actively worked on his game around the rim to be a more efficient scorer. He’s no longer one-dimensional on that front, something even Leonard alluded to.
He’s under contract till 2028 but if he continues performing like this and the Clippers make the Playoffs, his value will start skyrocketing.
He had this performance on his 28th birthday against the best team in the NBA, so he’ll have to ensure he doesn’t fly too close to the sun with the Clippers locked into a standings dogfight for the No. 6 seed.
