Resurgence of Zu?

thegamefritz · Post #1 » by **thegamefritz** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:04 pm

we took the L last night but Zu had a great game.. Although it is just 1 game it is still a good sign of hope as Zu has been stuck in the bench for quite awhile.

I still believe that Zu will have a resurgence and hoping that last night will be the start of it. I think Zu can be as good as Jokic. I saw Jokic live last night at Milwauke and he was balling, I was watching Nuggets vs Bucks live while streaming Lakers Vs Twolves on my phone (I was enjoying the Laker game than the live game I was attending) I was comparing Jokic and Zu then I remember that last year Zu had a great game vs the Nuggets and Jokic was praising Zu alot. Both of got similarities IMO

Zu is taller (Legit 7'1") and younger than Jokic but Jokic can shoot and can really pass and is more fluid/mobile. Lakers staff should pattern or should aim that Zu can play like Jokic

Post #2 » by **Kilroy** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:18 pm

Not resurgence... Development.. This is still basically a "Kid" we're talking about.

Zubac always required patience from fans... He was remarkable in his raw body and skill set... Not because he was some NBA-ready stud.

What he's doing now is just a natural progression. He's earning more PT because he deserves it and will continue to get more and more... I hope he's here next season so we get to see even more of it.

johnx · Post #3 » by **johnx** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 1:01 am

Jokic? Lol you need to watch more nuggets games man and come back here if you see Jokic in Zubac
I like Zubac but he's really more of a pick n roll/pop scorer right now his back to basket skills are pretty raw and i dont think it's a coincidence he had a good game playing with IT

Mirjalovic · Post #4 » by **Mirjalovic** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 1:21 am

Jokic is a generational center. Almost like a video game character. My stats on my career in NBA 2K

SlimShady83 · Post #5 » by **SlimShady83** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:50 am

It's 1 game Lol ... Let's see how he goes rest of season then start talking :O)

Gus McCrae · Post #6 » by **Gus McCrae** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 6:29 am

At least he plays in the paint. I noticed that when Lopez camps out we always have zero chance of offensive boards so every jump shot is one and done

what would jack bauer do? · Post #7 » by **what would jack bauer do?** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 7:16 am

I will say this, Zu looked like trash at the started of the season compared to a bruiser like Steve Adams. Now more recently against Adams he actually looked like he could at least bang. He's definitely worked hard, but he needs to figure out his off-season routine. He seems to get better during season play through the gleague and Lakers games, but he regresses over the summer. He needs to get on that Julius randle regimen this off-season.

stan francisco · Post #8 » by **stan francisco** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:43 am

With IT around, we'll see more of Zubac. It's a smart move by Luke, is gonna work well for IT. Zubac can play PnR with him all day long.

LeCalinou · Post #9 » by **LeCalinou** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 1:17 pm

what would jack bauer do? wrote:I will say this, Zu looked like trash at the started of the season compared to a bruiser like Steve Adams. Now more recently against Adams he actually looked like he could at least bang. He's definitely worked hard, but he needs to figure out his off-season routine. He seems to get better during season play through the gleague and Lakers games, but he regresses over the summer. He needs to get on that Julius randle regimen this off-season.

It's part of the process of becoming a professional player. And an NBA player at that, because having to play and travel that much can be a cultural and physical shock.
Time will tell if he turns out into something special, but I think he has a good ceiling.
If he learns about verticality and learn to always box out, he's got a future ahead of him. Especially the boxing out part would make him a good fit alongside Lonzo. Why? Because making sure the opposing Center doesn't get the rebound clears the way for the fast break. Lonzo is a speculative rebounder, and his motor makes him a threat.
He's always putting pressure on the defense with running and passing quickly. If the other guys learn to always look for the open man, there are only 2-3 defenses in the league that can stand that.

LeCalinou · Post #10 » by **LeCalinou** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 1:19 pm

what would jack bauer do? wrote:I will say this, Zu looked like trash at the started of the season compared to a bruiser like Steve Adams. Now more recently against Adams he actually looked like he could at least bang. He's definitely worked hard, but he needs to figure out his off-season routine. He seems to get better during season play through the gleague and Lakers games, but he regresses over the summer. He needs to get on that Julius randle regimen this off-season.

I don't think he's a slacker, just that he hasn't figured out yet what translates well into the season. And given his frame, he was the least equipped out of all the roster to run this much.
He had Bogut on the bench to figure out defensive rotations, and 3 months to play himself into better shape. He'll be fine.

stan francisco · Post #11 » by **stan francisco** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 1:22 pm

I wish we would've kept Bogut (no offense and all), and dumped Lopez.

LeCalinou · Post #12 » by **LeCalinou** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:01 pm

johnx wrote:Jokic? Lol you need to watch more nuggets games man and come back here if you see Jokic in Zubac
I like Zubac but he's really more of a pick n roll/pop scorer right now his back to basket skills are pretty raw and i dont think it's a coincidence he had a good game playing with IT

I like what you're saying. It's a realistic view on who Zubac is.
The thing that the Lakers have been lacking for a while is a savvy-scorer out of the pick'n'roll. Believe it or not, Isaiah Thomas is a very intelligent NBA player (even though he over-values himself). I've watched the T'Wolves highlights and I saw how many good reads he made out of dribble penetration.
Right now, the starting unit has found a good rhythm, Kuzma can always score and spark off the bench and if IT realizes that his scoring and presence can maximize the potential of guys like Zubac and Hart (who both can knock down open shots), then the Lakers are headed in a good direction.

Their trend this year was already upwards, but now they might have found more of a fit. I'm betting they'll be a competitive 9th seed, and if injury happen to other teams, they might squeeze into the playoffs.

larry14r · Post #13 » by **larry14r** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:06 pm

stan francisco wrote:I wish we would've kept Bogut (no offense and all), and dumped Lopez.

Yeah, but an non guaranteed contract is easier to get rid of then a $22 million dollar contract.

JohnVancouver · Post #14 » by **JohnVancouver** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:11 pm

larry14r wrote:
stan francisco wrote:I wish we would've kept Bogut (no offense and all), and dumped Lopez.

Yeah, but an non guaranteed contract is easier to get rid of then a $22 million dollar contract.

actually, a $22 million expiring is pretty highly prized when cap space is as tight as it is - unless you meant, hard to get rid of in terms of what we'd have to take back, in which case I agree.

stan francisco · Post #15 » by **stan francisco** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:04 pm

Zubac said once in an interview, iirc, that he ran so much pick n roll and pick and pop as a kid that he could run the point playing that. With a grin.

Edit: He has soft hands around the rim, and from anywhere. If he could just develop a Hakeem inspired footwork based low post game... His footwork is pretty solid already but he'd be tough to cover if he we're a threat down low and shoots the three.

MAMBAEMD · Post #16 » by **MAMBAEMD** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 12:07 am

I think he's getting into shape, and also his game is developing.

stan francisco · Post #17 » by **stan francisco** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 12:24 am

lakerRD wrote:I think he's getting into shape, and also his game is developing.

If he can surge on the home stretch like Hart has lately, we'll be fine letting both Lopez and KCP go. Both could be starters, FO could supplement with vet fillers off the bench unless we find better in FA.

Penberthy · Post #18 » by **Penberthy** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 3:17 am

I wonder what people think about this:

Say we don't get lebron or george and decide to do a bunch of big 1 yr deals again to preserve space for 2019. Sign Boogie to a big 1 year deal. Sign Tyreke or Lavine to a big 1 year deal. Resign Randle to the least possible number.

Start Zu and give him ~28 min per. Split the other 20 Center minutes between Bryant and Randle. Whenever Boogie comes back give those 20 minutes to him. If he seems healthy, resign him in 2019 with Leonard or Klay or Butler or whoever else.

The question is, does anyone besides me think that Zu could serviceably put up 12/10/2blks in 28 minutes as a starter next year?

I actually think a roster like this could squeak into the 8 spot, and still gives us lots of flexibility for 2019

Ball (32) 3andD(16)
Tyreke/Lavine (16) Hart (32)
Ingram (32) Tyreke/Lavine (16)
Kuzma (30) Randle (18)
Zu (28) Randle/Bryant (20) Boogie

Landsberger · Post #19 » by **Landsberger** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 11:31 pm

Against lesser competition in the G league he's been putting up some great numbers in a manner very similar to what we saw the other night. P&R and facing up to 20'. Earlier in the season he was taking and hitting 3's.

When he is aggressive with the ball he can get a very good look almost all of the time.

He and Clarkson had a very good run of P&R last year. Zu had some pretty good games last year. A 25-11 game comes to mind. I hope we continue using him with the second unit. If he can get some confidence back I think he can be very valuable going forward.

dontforget · Post #20 » by **dontforget** » Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:27 pm

It was real nice to see him be productive. Would have wished to see him close out the game instead of Brook Lopez but oh well. The biggest issue that Zu will have is right now, he's not mobile enough to play P&R defense nor is he strong enough to be a rim protector or consistent post presence. He has to be able to build out his body and foot speed before he can get consistent minutes on the NBA floor. Then again, he's 20 so Lakers just need to be patient with him.