Among the obvious favorites this season, with the returns of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Clippers want to go for the first trophy in their history.
Complete and in great shape on the starting line, the Los Angeles troops can still count on their Croatian pivot, Ivica Zubac. On the bridge for the Euro with his national team, “Zu” quickly turned the page to open a chapter that he hopes will be glorious with his Clippers.
“Ty (Lue) has been with the team, and with me, for a while now. Even before he actually became head coach. He followed my progress and it is largely thanks to him. He pushes us. Last season, he asked me to do things that I hadn’t been asked to do for a while. He involved me more in the attack and that’s an important reason for my progress.” thus details the pivot.
At 10 points, 8 rebounds last season, his best career statistical production, Ivica Zubac was a real anchor for the Clippers with 76 appearances for as many starts. He hopes the same will be true for Kawhi Leonard who, according to him, has regained his level as if nothing had happened.
“He is in great shape. He looks like the Kawhi before the injury,” says Ivica Zubac on the NBA website. “He’s fit, strong, and fast. He always finds a way to get to his favorite spots. He’s such a hard worker. He looks like Kawhi what. »
Terrifying potential both offensively and defensively
The other Clippers superstar, Paul George, is also in full possession of his faculties. And Ivica Zubac can attest to her gradual rise to prominence within the Californian franchise. As he himself announced before training camp, Paul George wants to assume his status, and that of his team.
“PG has been one of our leaders since he arrived. He is becoming more vocal. Above all, he is more comfortable than when he arrived. He is our leader on the field, and we follow him. He sets the example and since last year, he communicates more. He was very good in this role. »
Scary on paper with their outside strike force, but also their armada of interchangeable fullbacks/wingers, the Clippers can also pose a hell of a defensive threat. When you know the CV of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George or even Nicolas Batum and Robert Covington, Los Angeles has enough to hold the fort.
Especially if Ivica Zubac confirms in his role as the last defender under the circle!
“It’s about reading the action before it happens. It depends on who your opponent is; you have to know your game and know where to place yourself in defense. You have to prepare well before the match, to learn the opposing systems and how they use them. This is how you can read the action before it happens, to have the right timing and know when they will try to attack [le cercle]. You certainly have to go high, but a big part of it comes down to timing, and knowing what actions are going to be used. »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0oX2tYmTGU
| Ivica Zubac | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2016-17 | ALL | 38 | 16 | 52.9 | 0.0 | 65.3 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 7.5 |
| 2017-18 | ALL | 43 | 10 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 76.5 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 3.7 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 59 | 18 | 55.9 | 0.0 | 80.2 | 2.0 | 4.2 | 6.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 8.9 |
| 2018-19 * | ALL | 33 | 16 | 58.0 | 0.0 | 86.4 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 4.9 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 8.5 |
| 2018-19 * | LAKE | 26 | 20 | 53.8 | 0.0 | 73.3 | 2.4 | 5.4 | 7.7 | 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 | 7.6 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 8.3 |
| 2020-21 | LAKE | 72 | 22 | 65.2 | 25.0 | 78.9 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 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 | 8.5 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 10.3 |
| Total | 360 | 19 | 59.7 | 10.0 | 75.4 | 2.2 | 4.3 | 6.5 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 8.3 | |
