If Daniel Theis has come back to life since he arrived in Los Angeles, he is not the only interior to appreciate evolving around so many stars. Ivica Zubac also says he is delighted with the situation, especially since James Harden arrived.
The 2018 MVP forces everyone, especially him, to adapt. Russell Westbrook has decided to join the bench and the other players must find a balance around the former Houston player.
For the pivot, it’s simple: the presence of James Harden offers him a launch pad of choice on pick-and-roll. “I played with a lot of playmakers and good passers but with whom I couldn’t really play the pick-and-roll because the defenders were going under the screen”he confides for the Los Angeles Times.
And why would it be any different with the NBA’s most famous bearded man? “With James and his excellent outside shot, defenders have to get over my screen,” specifies the native of Bosnia-Herzegovina. “He attracts the defense so much that my job is easier. »
A 3-point threat that frees up space
With his 35% 3-point success rate this season and his well-known and feared “step-backs”, the three-time top scorer in the league is a more credible threat than Russell Westbrook, who shoots at 30%. And over the seasons, with Clint Capela in Houston in particular, he became a master of the pick-and-roll.
“Westbrook is more in speed to beat his defender and go to the circle when James takes his time more,” compares Tyronn Lue. “He finds his position, the defender passes over him, he stops, takes a screen and makes the play. They are two different players and styles. »
This connection between the playmaker and the pivot was visible in money time against the Rockets. James Harden made the difference with a winning shot plus the foul, but before that, he had served Ivica Zubac twice for two important baskets.
The pick-and-roll agreement still needs to be refined and both players are working on it. “We work on it a few times before or after training or during shootarounds”confides Ivica Zubac.
| 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 | 4.2 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 7.5 |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 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 * | LAL | 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 |
| 2022-23 | LAKE | 76 | 29 | 63.4 | 0.0 | 69.7 | 3.1 | 6.8 | 10.0 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 10.8 |
| 2023-24 | LAKE | 12 | 26 | 58.8 | 0.0 | 62.2 | 2.9 | 5.6 | 8.5 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 10.3 |
| Total | 447 | 21 | 60.4 | 8.3 | 73.7 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 7.2 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 8.8 | |
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.
