Resurgence of Zu?

[dockingsched]

With the lack of any really opportunity he gets and lack of any real impact when he does get out there, it doesn’t seem like he’s really part of the teams future outlook. Doesn’t really fit in anywhere.

[milesfides]

Lopez and Randle get all the minutes at center, as did Larry Nance before he was traded. And Randle and Larry Nance have played their way into arguably top 10 centers. So it’s been tough for zubac to see any PT.

However, I don’t know why the Lakers are playing Brook Lopez at all. He’s not going to be here next season. Randle may not either. So it’s been a head scratcher - if we aren’t making the playoffs, why aren’t we prioritizing developing talent?

Zubac is a good fit with Kuzma, a stretch four. He runs the floor well and finishes strong. Sets big screens. Rebounds, unlike Lopez.

Zubac also has great chemistry with SBL teammate Alex Caruso, and they both looked really good together last night. They just play solid, smart basketball, which has been in short supply this year.

[evilpimp972]

Lopez and Randle get all the minutes at center, as did Larry Nance before he was traded. And Randle and Larry Nance have played their way into arguably top 10 centers. So it’s been tough for zubac to see any PT.

However, I don’t know why the Lakers are playing Brook Lopez at all. He’s not going to be here next season. Randle may not either. So it’s been a head scratcher - if we aren’t making the playoffs, why aren’t we prioritizing developing talent?

Zubac is a good fit with Kuzma, a stretch four. He runs the floor well and finishes strong. Sets big screens. Rebounds, unlike Lopez.

Zubac also has great chemistry with SBL teammate Alex Caruso, and they both looked really good together last night. They just play solid, smart basketball, which has been in short supply this year.

Its simple for Brook
Its because Randle cant shoot so we need a floor spacer at the 5
Imagine how the paint would be clogged if we played Zu + Randle

[milesfides]

No question, that's why I said Kuzma would be a good fit for Zubac.

Randle would be a good fit with Karl Anthony Towns, Myles Turner, Kristaps Porzingis, etc.

[Jody Smokz]

He could at least function with Kuz but there is much more to Randle and Brook than spacing. Brook is actually a solid defensive C. He isn't great in PnR but he is where he needs to be in rotations and help D. Zubac is not good on defense at all. For as much flack Brook gets for his rebounding he boxes out well. He isn't hurting team rebounding. He's not Andrea Bargnani. Other guys are simply getting the rebound when he's on the floor. He's not giving up boards to the other team. The stats back this up.

Zubac should be done in LA if he doesnt do 1 of 2 things or both. Become quicker as a defender in space and find some range. 1 of which Thomas Bryant has.

Bring back Brook for cheap and Bryant as the backup and roll with that. Who cares if Zubac looks like Marc Gasol when he was 21. Marc Gasol found a 3pt shot last year but with the NBA adapting more to pace and space his defensive impact isn't what it used to be.

No question, that's why I said Kuzma would be a good fit for Zubac.

Randle would be a good fit with Karl Anthony Towns, Myles Turner, Kristaps Porzingis, etc.

[danfantastk32]

He could at least function with Kuz but there is much more to Randle and Brook than spacing. Brook is actually a solid defensive C. He isn't great in PnR but he is where he needs to be in rotations and help D. Zubac is not good on defense at all. For as much flack Brook gets for his rebounding he boxes out well. He isn't hurting team rebounding. He's not Andrea Bargnani. Other guys are simply getting the rebound when he's on the floor. He's not giving up boards to the other team. The stats back this up.

Zubac should be done in LA if he doesnt do 1 of 2 things or both. Become quicker as a defender in space and find some range. 1 of which Thomas Bryant has.

Bring back Brook for cheap and Bryant as the backup and roll with that. Who cares if Zubac looks like Marc Gasol when he was 21. Marc Gasol found a 3pt shot last year but with the NBA adapting more to pace and space his defensive impact isn't what it used to be.

No question, that's why I said Kuzma would be a good fit for Zubac.

Randle would be a good fit with Karl Anthony Towns, Myles Turner, Kristaps Porzingis, etc.

When I watch Lopez offensively, he's out at the 3 most of the time. Defensively, he's turning and running when that shot goes up. Very rarely is he down there fighting for boards. But you know what? We're a really good rebounding team. So clearly this is part of Luke's "plan" for Brook....and it's not affecting our rebounding.

Brook is not a great rebounder....but he's not being asked to do it, and it's not hurting us at all....so I have no issue with his rebounding numbers. I agree with your comment to bring him back. I personally think Brook is a great fit for what we're doing.

I think Zu has a ton of positives. But he's really young, and I think fans (and somewhat the team) has given up on him already. The guy needs time. I wish the guy would get more minutes. But the NBA is full of these players. Those guys that have this niche fan-base that roar for him to get more time. They seem to have moments...but sooner or later they get traded. Maybe these players could have amounted to something....but they were just too raw.

I hope they keep him, and continue to develop him. Even as "the backup". But we'll see.