Despite the departure of Paul George and the absence of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers took the season off to a good start with victories over the Nuggets and the Warriors.
If we had to name an MVP of this first week, it would undoubtedly beIvica Zubac. Extended until 2028, the Croatian can play without a second thought, and last night, in Golden State, he accumulated 23 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists. A performance in line with what he produced against Nikola Jokic, with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
“It’s only three matches, but I’m trying to be consistent”, reacts Ivica Zubac. “I try to be as long as possible. I try to bring the same thing every night so my teammates can count on me. They can count on me defensively and offensively, and count on me to grab rebounds, protect the rim, score in the low post, finish near the rim. So I do my best to bring that intensity. »
A very rare series at the Clippers
Author of 20 points or more in each of the first three matches, Ivica Zubac is the first Clippers pivot to achieve such a series since Bob McAdoo in the early 70s. At the time, the franchise was called the Buffalo Braves. Ivica Zubac is also the first Clipper, since DeAndre Jordan in 2015, to sign two games in a row with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds. To that, we must add assists: six last night, four against the Nuggets.
“When we play with a player like James Harden, we know that teams are going to go two on him, and that we are going to receive the pass in a small space” he continues. “We find ourselves at 4-on-3, and it becomes easy to make the right reading. We look at where the help is coming from and we know that someone is going to be unmarked, or that I'm going to have a good shot… All year long, we practice playing 4-on-3, and for For me, it’s just reading the game.”
| Ivica Zubac | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | LAL | 38 | 16 | 52.9 | 0.0 | 65.3 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 7.5 |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 43 | 10 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 76.5 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 3.7 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 59 | 18 | 55.9 | 0.0 | 80.2 | 1.9 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 8.9 |
| 2018-19 * | LAL | 33 | 16 | 58.0 | 0.0 | 86.4 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 8.5 |
| 2018-19 * | LAKE | 26 | 20 | 53.8 | 0.0 | 73.3 | 2.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 9.4 |
| 2019-20 | LAKE | 72 | 18 | 61.1 | 0.0 | 74.7 | 2.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 8.3 |
| 2020-21 | LAKE | 72 | 22 | 65.2 | 25.0 | 78.9 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 9.0 |
| 2021-22 | LAKE | 76 | 24 | 62.6 | 0.0 | 72.7 | 2.9 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 10.3 |
| 2022-23 | LAKE | 76 | 29 | 63.4 | 0.0 | 69.7 | 3.1 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 10.8 |
| 2023-24 | LAKE | 68 | 26 | 64.9 | 0.0 | 72.3 | 2.9 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 11.7 |
| 2024-25 | LAKE | 1 | 34 | 61.5 | 0.0 | 62.5 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 21.0 |
| Total | 505 | 22 | 61.2 | 8.3 | 73.8 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 9.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
