The 7'1 Croatian Elephant In the Room

[TheHartBreakKid]

I'll admit it....I had given up on Zu considering how unimpressive he has been to start the season/during the summer, and considering how impressive our other options at center have been. But here we are, with him having the best three game stretch from our 5 spot this season, and that's saying a lot considering how good Mcgee has been. Obviously, this is a great development, but it also raises a pretty obvious dillema.....we have 3 centers right now who are expiring contracts, and none of them can play together. We have a respected veteran in Chandler on his last few seasons, and we have Mcgee in his prime who took a big discount to play here. Trading either of those guys would be pretty heartless, and it's pretty much not an option. But Zu is the center whose restricted FA rights we have, and he's by far the youngest, and even though it's a very small sample size, he's the most well rounded.

I think we can all agree that seeing Randle go for nothing was disappointing.....whether you liked him or not, I think we all know that he had way too much value to lose him for nothing. The situation warranted it, and I'm not even saying the FO made a wrong decision, but in a perfect world, you don't lose a player that young,talent,etc for nothing, and I'm sure the FO wants to avoid that happening again. So how do we avoid it from happening again? I'm not saying Zubac is in Randle's league when it comes value...the sample size is way too small.But the situation is similiar. Young flawed talent who is showing a lot of flashes, but has a lot of question marks, heading into restricted free agency.

I really don't have a solution to this problem, but I'm simply bringing up the fact that a problem does exist, even though it's a surprisingly good problem to have. I don't see us benching Mcgee, but there simply isn't enough minutes for both Chandler and Zu. I also don't see us trading Mcgee or chandler, and I don't think they would have much, if any, trade value either way. Zu's contract situation makes him very tough to trade as well. All I'm saying is that we are very likely to lose him this summer.....the FO isn't likely to commit to him financially long term, and he's shown enough that some team will toss more money at him than the QO.


Basically, the point of this thread is this......how do you guys think we should approach our center situation going forward? What is a reasonable solution to making sure that we don't repeat our mistakes and lose a young piece with value for nothing? I guess the most likely solution would be taking Chandler out of the rotation and having Zu and Mcgee split the time at the 5...but I'm not entirely sure that's the best approach.

[Kilroy]

With the way he's been playing, I think he needs to keep getting burn... Preferably starting... It's in our best interest to see if he can keep it up... McGee has only had a handfull of games more productive than Zu had tonight... Chandler is crafty and timely, but his days of consistently producing like Zu has been are behind him.
And we owe neither one of them, nothing...
I'd love it if Luke found an excuse to stick with Zu with the starters when Javale gets healthy...

Sooner or later, he's bound to level off... But for the time being, he's making a case for the best C on the team...

McGee was playing at all-star levels pretty much until we got Chandler and has never really looked the same since... Which I think might make the argument to stick with Zu a little stronger.

[Dr Aki]

What's changed these last few games McGee was out, other than the first game against Washington, was that Zubac has not been destroyed in the pick and roll.

He's been a lot better at hedging the pick and roll, a lot better at contesting mid range jumpers, and then recovering back to box out and rebounding, all without fouling.

It's simple, but the simple act of defending without fouling has allowed him to become effective.

When McGee recovers, it'll probably be Chandler that gives way

[Laker_Kid]

i dont think Chandler minds giving his minutes away. he’s too far along in his career to care too much. he’s probably just enjoying the ride.

i’d definitely stick with Zu for the time being now that we’re finally getting what we have been expecting from him.

[dAdo dA dEvil]

Keep Zu. I'd even start him. This is no brainer. We all know that McGee and Chandler could only play limited minutes. Adding Zu to the mix isn't a hard thing to do. Zu starts and end games. Put McGee and Chandler when he needs to rest and ask them to play aggressive D. Never mind fouling out.

[Pythagoras]

I'll admit it....I had given up on Zu considering how unimpressive he has been to start the season/during the summer, and considering how impressive our other options at center have been. But here we are, with him having the best three game stretch from our 5 spot this season, and that's saying a lot considering how good Mcgee has been. Obviously, this is a great development, but it also raises a pretty obvious dillema.....we have 3 centers right now who are expiring contracts, and none of them can play together. We have a respected veteran in Chandler on his last few seasons, and we have Mcgee in his prime who took a big discount to play here. Trading either of those guys would be pretty heartless, and it's pretty much not an option. But Zu is the center whose restricted FA rights we have, and he's by far the youngest, and even though it's a very small sample size, he's the most well rounded.

I think we can all agree that seeing Randle go for nothing was disappointing.....whether you liked him or not, I think we all know that he had way too much value to lose him for nothing. The situation warranted it, and I'm not even saying the FO made a wrong decision, but in a perfect world, you don't lose a player that young,talent,etc for nothing, and I'm sure the FO wants to avoid that happening again. So how do we avoid it from happening again? I'm not saying Zubac is in Randle's league when it comes value...the sample size is way too small.But the situation is similiar. Young flawed talent who is showing a lot of flashes, but has a lot of question marks, heading into restricted free agency.

I really don't have a solution to this problem, but I'm simply bringing up the fact that a problem does exist, even though it's a surprisingly good problem to have. I don't see us benching Mcgee, but there simply isn't enough minutes for both Chandler and Zu. I also don't see us trading Mcgee or chandler, and I don't think they would have much, if any, trade value either way. Zu's contract situation makes him very tough to trade as well. All I'm saying is that we are very likely to lose him this summer.....the FO isn't likely to commit to him financially long term, and he's shown enough that some team will toss more money at him than the QO.


Basically, the point of this thread is this......how do you guys think we should approach our center situation going forward? What is a reasonable solution to making sure that we don't repeat our mistakes and lose a young piece with value for nothing? I guess the most likely solution would be taking Chandler out of the rotation and having Zu and Mcgee split the time at the 5...but I'm not entirely sure that's the best approach.

This is a hard question. I think you might just slow walk McGee’s return to get a longer look at Zu. If he continues to play well then maybe you think about trying to have two of the bigs on the court at the same time, (in incredibly small stretches).

[Spens1]

I'm not even sure what triggered this comeback, its weird. I had given up on him completely and was calling for him to be cut (and i'd say rightly so given how he was playing), now he's come back in a big way.

[stan francisco]

What's changed these last few games McGee was out, other than the first game against Washington, was that Zubac has not been destroyed in the pick and roll.

He's been a lot better at hedging the pick and roll, a lot better at contesting mid range jumpers, and then recovering back to box out and rebounding, all without fouling.

It's simple, but the simple act of defending without fouling has allowed him to become effective.

This.

[Gurudumu]

According to Big Zu himself, he had a good summer but he fell ill in the end of September, which threw him back and he had no stamina in the beginning of the season, causing his somewhat poorer performances. Now he's back into form, has slightly less body fat and can run.

I'd keep him in the starters while he's playing well and I think all three centers can play depending on the need and the opposing team. Big Zu is a great offensive option with LBJ or Rondo (him and Rondo have great chemistry and +35,1 on 100 possesions when playing together), Javale can only play limited minutes because of his asthma, and Chandler can play when veteran presence and defence is needed. It's a long season.

[stan francisco]

Zubač is unknowingly also a comedic genius in interviews, not just a great sports talent.

[cashflo]

So do we have any rights to him next summer like we did with Clarkson ? If so what are the rules for second rounders..

[Gurudumu]

Zubač is unknowingly also a comedic genius in interviews, not just a great sports talent.

Zoobahts, not Zoobatch, Zooback, Zoobock...

[ISayshowmee]

I'm not even sure what triggered this comeback, its weird. I had given up on him completely and was calling for him to be cut (and i'd say rightly so given how he was playing), now he's come back in a big way.

The veterans led by Lebron & Rondo. Zu also said the Javale and Tyson are both working with him up teach him the tricks of the trade. Luke also mentioned that Zu stays after practice with Javale & Tyson to put in extra work.

Luke & coaching staff have made playing with the Lakers really fun.

[ISayshowmee]

I'll admit it....I had given up on Zu considering how unimpressive he has been to start the season/during the summer, and considering how impressive our other options at center have been. But here we are, with him having the best three game stretch from our 5 spot this season, and that's saying a lot considering how good Mcgee has been. Obviously, this is a great development, but it also raises a pretty obvious dillema.....we have 3 centers right now who are expiring contracts, and none of them can play together. We have a respected veteran in Chandler on his last few seasons, and we have Mcgee in his prime who took a big discount to play here. Trading either of those guys would be pretty heartless, and it's pretty much not an option. But Zu is the center whose restricted FA rights we have, and he's by far the youngest, and even though it's a very small sample size, he's the most well rounded.

I think we can all agree that seeing Randle go for nothing was disappointing.....whether you liked him or not, I think we all know that he had way too much value to lose him for nothing. The situation warranted it, and I'm not even saying the FO made a wrong decision, but in a perfect world, you don't lose a player that young,talent,etc for nothing, and I'm sure the FO wants to avoid that happening again. So how do we avoid it from happening again? I'm not saying Zubac is in Randle's league when it comes value...the sample size is way too small.But the situation is similiar. Young flawed talent who is showing a lot of flashes, but has a lot of question marks, heading into restricted free agency.

I really don't have a solution to this problem, but I'm simply bringing up the fact that a problem does exist, even though it's a surprisingly good problem to have. I don't see us benching Mcgee, but there simply isn't enough minutes for both Chandler and Zu. I also don't see us trading Mcgee or chandler, and I don't think they would have much, if any, trade value either way. Zu's contract situation makes him very tough to trade as well. All I'm saying is that we are very likely to lose him this summer.....the FO isn't likely to commit to him financially long term, and he's shown enough that some team will toss more money at him than the QO.


Basically, the point of this thread is this......how do you guys think we should approach our center situation going forward? What is a reasonable solution to making sure that we don't repeat our mistakes and lose a young piece with value for nothing? I guess the most likely solution would be taking Chandler out of the rotation and having Zu and Mcgee split the time at the 5...but I'm not entirely sure that's the best approach.

This is a hard question. I think you might just slow walk McGee’s return to get a longer look at Zu. If he continues to play well then maybe you think about trying to have two of the bigs on the court at the same time, (in incredibly small stretches).

How much will it be to keep all of them ? I believe Tyson will not command big $$$ but do not know about Javale and Zu.

[Dr Aki]

So do we have any rights to him next summer like we did with Clarkson ? If so what are the rules for second rounders..

Full Bird rights, mini cap hold

[Ballerhogger]

I want him to start , I’m curious what the nba trade market for him is . He should play more in Regualr season not quite sure if he’s going to keep on growing and producing but I like it.

[Ballerhogger]

I'll admit it....I had given up on Zu considering how unimpressive he has been to start the season/during the summer, and considering how impressive our other options at center have been. But here we are, with him having the best three game stretch from our 5 spot this season, and that's saying a lot considering how good Mcgee has been. Obviously, this is a great development, but it also raises a pretty obvious dillema.....we have 3 centers right now who are expiring contracts, and none of them can play together. We have a respected veteran in Chandler on his last few seasons, and we have Mcgee in his prime who took a big discount to play here. Trading either of those guys would be pretty heartless, and it's pretty much not an option. But Zu is the center whose restricted FA rights we have, and he's by far the youngest, and even though it's a very small sample size, he's the most well rounded.

I think we can all agree that seeing Randle go for nothing was disappointing.....whether you liked him or not, I think we all know that he had way too much value to lose him for nothing. The situation warranted it, and I'm not even saying the FO made a wrong decision, but in a perfect world, you don't lose a player that young,talent,etc for nothing, and I'm sure the FO wants to avoid that happening again. So how do we avoid it from happening again? I'm not saying Zubac is in Randle's league when it comes value...the sample size is way too small.But the situation is similiar. Young flawed talent who is showing a lot of flashes, but has a lot of question marks, heading into restricted free agency.

I really don't have a solution to this problem, but I'm simply bringing up the fact that a problem does exist, even though it's a surprisingly good problem to have. I don't see us benching Mcgee, but there simply isn't enough minutes for both Chandler and Zu. I also don't see us trading Mcgee or chandler, and I don't think they would have much, if any, trade value either way. Zu's contract situation makes him very tough to trade as well. All I'm saying is that we are very likely to lose him this summer.....the FO isn't likely to commit to him financially long term, and he's shown enough that some team will toss more money at him than the QO.


Basically, the point of this thread is this......how do you guys think we should approach our center situation going forward? What is a reasonable solution to making sure that we don't repeat our mistakes and lose a young piece with value for nothing? I guess the most likely solution would be taking Chandler out of the rotation and having Zu and Mcgee split the time at the 5...but I'm not entirely sure that's the best approach.

This is a hard question. I think you might just slow walk McGee’s return to get a longer look at Zu. If he continues to play well then maybe you think about trying to have two of the bigs on the court at the same time, (in incredibly small stretches).

How much will it be to keep all of them ? I believe Tyson will not command big $$$ but do not know about Javale and Zu.

On Zu we can sign him for cheap for few more years . He hasn’t blown up yet . I think chandler is on last nba season really

[Vae Victus]

Lakers got his RFA rights at the end of the season. His caphold is a shade under 2mil. Assuming KD doesnt come to town, but say Kawhi or Butler, keeping Zubac shouldnt be much of an issue.

Shouldnt be much worry in keeping Zubac, but he defo needs more burn so the team can make a proper assessment on whether to re-sign him or not. He's shown some good promise so downside is some team trying to swoop in on him and steal him via offering an early offer sheet that his agent will pressure him to take so as to get as much money as possible before the market dries up.

Upside now is that his strong play makes him a nicer trade chip that can be S&T in any future potential trade.

[Landsberger]

I've always liked the kid's hands, his feet and his touch around the rim. Those things are fairly rare in today's game. His issues has been consistent playing time with seasoned vets. Most of his playing time has been in garbage situations where it's a free for all and since he wasn't touching the ball it was easy to get lost.

The change is mental IMHO. He's exploding to the rim right now and dunking it rather than the softer stuff we've seen from him in the past. He's got a great feel for the pick and roll on offense. He showed some of that in his first year with Clarkson. On the defensive end it's all about knowing what to do and he seems to be learning there as well.

I don't think you can underestimate the influence Chandler has had on him. He's typically standing up and yelling at Zu these last few games. Bron is also looking to keep the kid's head in the game as well.

....this is why you have the crafty vets around the kids.... we didn't see this when our crafty vets were Deng and Mozgov....

[danfantastk32]

....this is why you have the crafty vets around the kids.... we didn't see this when our crafty vets were Deng and Mozgov....

I had already forgot about them. Holy hell, what an upgrade.

TBH....as happy as I am, I'd like to see the kid keep this up before I get too excited. 3 games is nice....but let's see you maintain this through Jan.

McGee has asthma pretty bad already. That he's been out for a week+ and couldnt hit the sidelines to pick up his ring, aughta alarm folks. I'm not sure he's gonna be ready to go for a while. Zu may very well play through Jan without this being an issue at all.

I vote we take it from there, once the sample size on our 'new found talent' gets a little meatier.