Ivica Zubac General Thread

[esqtvd]

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[Ballings7]

That is super impressive on Zu's numbers

[Captain Ballmer]

"Zu Alcindor" is not just a complement anymore but an argument?

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[Roscoe Sheed]

I think Zubac is still somewhat under the radar on the national level- us Clipper fans know how great he has been this season, but you don't hear his name come up much beyond the local coverage

[esqtvd]

I think Zubac is still somewhat under the radar on the national level- us Clipper fans know how great he has been this season, but you don't hear his name come up much beyond the local coverage

Frankly, my "you is what you is" adage has been fractured by Zu this year. Mann kept being Mann, pretty much the same year to year. and so was Zu...until this year. He's doing some things better, but mostly he's in incredible shape and looks as fresh in the 4th quarter as he always did in the 1st.

When averaging 30 minutes, he always wore down by the ASB, but this year he just keeps getting stronger. And that's on top of playing in the Olympics last summer!

Defensive Player of the Year: Ivica Zubac

I thought the Clippers could be in danger of being one of the worst teams in the West this season after losing Paul George in free agency. Whoops. LA rebuilt its team with a defensive identity around James Harden’s playmaking, with Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Zubac playing key roles. Zubac ranks in the 98th percentile of defensive EPM this season, he’s putting up a monstrous 30 percent defensive rebound rate, and he’s held opposing players to -8.9 percent worse shooting at the rim. Zubac is so damn big at 7-foot, 240 pounds with a 7’4 wingspan that no one can finish over or through him on a drive. He’s also really impressive at contesting shots without fouling. The Clippers defensive rating is 109.17 with Zubac on the floor and 113.06 with him off. For as good as Dunn and Jones are at the point of attack, both are playing under 25 minutes per game. It’s been Zubac who has covered for Harden all year to turn the Clippers into an great defense without Leonard for most of the season. In a weird year for DPOY, his case is as compelling as anyone’s.

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/4/4/24400294/nba-awards-picks-for-2025-mvp-rookie-of-the-year-defensive-player-all-defense

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ADD: He’s also really impressive at contesting shots without fouling.

One stat that jumps out is Zu's PFs per 100 possessions has dropped to a career-low 3.3. Last year was 5.0, the same as his career average. Lack of foul trouble is keeping him on the floor longer too.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/z/zubaciv01.html

[donemilio21]

He is the 30th highest paid Center in the league this season, makes less than likes of Naz Reid or Zach Collins.
He will be only 13th highest paid when his extension kicks in next year.

[Clemenza]

Zu is playing at an all star next level. Take us to the promise land big fella!

[og15]

He's been an All-Star this season. This is why I'm always saying that people need to not focus on labels, but on actual production and impact.

He might not have made the All Star team, but he is one.

[og15]

I think Zubac is still somewhat under the radar on the national level- us Clipper fans know how great he has been this season, but you don't hear his name come up much beyond the local coverage

Frankly, my "you is what you is" adage has been fractured by Zu this year. Mann kept being Mann, pretty much the same year to year. and so was Zu...until this year. He's doing some things better, but mostly he's in incredible shape and looks as fresh in the 4th quarter as he always did in the 1st.

When averaging 30 minutes, he always wore down by the ASB, but this year he just keeps getting stronger. And that's on top of playing in the Olympics last summer!

Defensive Player of the Year: Ivica Zubac

I thought the Clippers could be in danger of being one of the worst teams in the West this season after losing Paul George in free agency. Whoops. LA rebuilt its team with a defensive identity around James Harden’s playmaking, with Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Zubac playing key roles. Zubac ranks in the 98th percentile of defensive EPM this season, he’s putting up a monstrous 30 percent defensive rebound rate, and he’s held opposing players to -8.9 percent worse shooting at the rim. Zubac is so damn big at 7-foot, 240 pounds with a 7’4 wingspan that no one can finish over or through him on a drive. He’s also really impressive at contesting shots without fouling. The Clippers defensive rating is 109.17 with Zubac on the floor and 113.06 with him off. For as good as Dunn and Jones are at the point of attack, both are playing under 25 minutes per game. It’s been Zubac who has covered for Harden all year to turn the Clippers into an great defense without Leonard for most of the season. In a weird year for DPOY, his case is as compelling as anyone’s.

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/4/4/24400294/nba-awards-picks-for-2025-mvp-rookie-of-the-year-defensive-player-all-defense

___________________________________

ADD: He’s also really impressive at contesting shots without fouling.

One stat that jumps out is Zu's PFs per 100 possessions has dropped to a career-low 3.3. Last year was 5.0, the same as his career average. Lack of foul trouble is keeping him on the floor longer too.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/z/zubaciv01.html

There are always exceptions

[esqtvd]

Frankly, my "you is what you is" adage has been fractured by Zu this year. Mann kept being Mann, pretty much the same year to year. and so was Zu...until this year. He's doing some things better, but mostly he's in incredible shape and looks as fresh in the 4th quarter as he always did in the 1st.

When averaging 30 minutes, he always wore down by the ASB, but this year he just keeps getting stronger. And that's on top of playing in the Olympics last summer!

Defensive Player of the Year: Ivica Zubac

I thought the Clippers could be in danger of being one of the worst teams in the West this season after losing Paul George in free agency. Whoops. LA rebuilt its team with a defensive identity around James Harden’s playmaking, with Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Zubac playing key roles. Zubac ranks in the 98th percentile of defensive EPM this season, he’s putting up a monstrous 30 percent defensive rebound rate, and he’s held opposing players to -8.9 percent worse shooting at the rim. Zubac is so damn big at 7-foot, 240 pounds with a 7’4 wingspan that no one can finish over or through him on a drive. He’s also really impressive at contesting shots without fouling. The Clippers defensive rating is 109.17 with Zubac on the floor and 113.06 with him off. For as good as Dunn and Jones are at the point of attack, both are playing under 25 minutes per game. It’s been Zubac who has covered for Harden all year to turn the Clippers into an great defense without Leonard for most of the season. In a weird year for DPOY, his case is as compelling as anyone’s.

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/4/4/24400294/nba-awards-picks-for-2025-mvp-rookie-of-the-year-defensive-player-all-defense

___________________________________

ADD: He’s also really impressive at contesting shots without fouling.

One stat that jumps out is Zu's PFs per 100 possessions has dropped to a career-low 3.3. Last year was 5.0, the same as his career average. Lack of foul trouble is keeping him on the floor longer too.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/z/zubaciv01.html

There are always exceptions

These 7-footers are usually the "projects," since you can't teach height. I think it takes a while for many to get coordination of those big bodies too. Randy Johnson [6'11"] was a .500 pitcher walking 100+ a year then when boom! when he hit 29, became the dominant pitcher we remember him as.

[og15]

Frankly, my "you is what you is" adage has been fractured by Zu this year. Mann kept being Mann, pretty much the same year to year. and so was Zu...until this year. He's doing some things better, but mostly he's in incredible shape and looks as fresh in the 4th quarter as he always did in the 1st.

When averaging 30 minutes, he always wore down by the ASB, but this year he just keeps getting stronger. And that's on top of playing in the Olympics last summer!

Defensive Player of the Year: Ivica Zubac

I thought the Clippers could be in danger of being one of the worst teams in the West this season after losing Paul George in free agency. Whoops. LA rebuilt its team with a defensive identity around James Harden’s playmaking, with Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Zubac playing key roles. Zubac ranks in the 98th percentile of defensive EPM this season, he’s putting up a monstrous 30 percent defensive rebound rate, and he’s held opposing players to -8.9 percent worse shooting at the rim. Zubac is so damn big at 7-foot, 240 pounds with a 7’4 wingspan that no one can finish over or through him on a drive. He’s also really impressive at contesting shots without fouling. The Clippers defensive rating is 109.17 with Zubac on the floor and 113.06 with him off. For as good as Dunn and Jones are at the point of attack, both are playing under 25 minutes per game. It’s been Zubac who has covered for Harden all year to turn the Clippers into an great defense without Leonard for most of the season. In a weird year for DPOY, his case is as compelling as anyone’s.

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/4/4/24400294/nba-awards-picks-for-2025-mvp-rookie-of-the-year-defensive-player-all-defense

___________________________________

ADD: He’s also really impressive at contesting shots without fouling.

One stat that jumps out is Zu's PFs per 100 possessions has dropped to a career-low 3.3. Last year was 5.0, the same as his career average. Lack of foul trouble is keeping him on the floor longer too.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/z/zubaciv01.html

There are always exceptions

These 7-footers are usually the "projects," since you can't teach height. I think it takes a while for many to get coordination of those big bodies too. Randy Johnson [6'11"] was a .500 pitcher walking 100+ a year then when boom! when he hit 29, became the dominant pitcher we remember him as.

His per minute numbers were always there, he really just needed to up his conditioning, and that actually likely helped with him fouling less too.

[esqtvd]

There are always exceptions

These 7-footers are usually the "projects," since you can't teach height. I think it takes a while for many to get coordination of those big bodies too. Randy Johnson [6'11"] was a .500 pitcher walking 100+ a year then when boom! when he hit 29, became the dominant pitcher we remember him as.

His per minute numbers were always there, he really just needed to up his conditioning, and that actually likely helped with him fouling less too.

That's true. You do foul when you're gassed and instead of moving your feet. you just reach in.

And I'm also trying to think of any time this year when Ty had to yank him in the first half because of early foul trouble. Used to happen not infrequently in his earlier years. Zu's the same guy but a different guy.

[Captain Ballmer]

Now... I want you guys to imagine for next season, Zu starts hitting threes...

Marc Gasol had started at age 32 when he was in his 9th season by the way.

[Captain Ballmer]

All-Nba defensive team label achieved. Little reward for his great season.

Next regular season should involve Zu doing some playmaking from post and shooting a three at least one in a game.

[Roscoe Sheed]

Zubac should have been 1st team over Draymond

[Clemenza]

Now can we run more plays for Zu next season? Can Lue take off the handcuffs and let him shoot midrange jumpers and threes? Sell the fanbase on that instead of open cap space in '27.

[esqtvd]

Now can we run more plays for Zu next season? Can Lue take off the handcuffs and let him shoot midrange jumpers and threes? Sell the fanbase on that instead of open cap space in '27.

Zu actually shot a career-high 50% of his FGAs from 3-10 feet and hit 58.5% of them. Also a career-high 7% of his FGAs were from outside 10 feet @ 48%, which is not bad, not great. He actually has been expanding his range the last couple years.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/z/zubaciv01.html

[esqtvd]

Zubac should have been 1st team over Draymond

Reputation. At 36 next year, surely Draymond's last year at the top and hopefully Zu is the heir apparent. He beat out everyone else like Gobert, so it's a good sign.

[esqtvd]

Lookee who's #2