INGLEWOOD — Clippers center Ivica Zubac sat at his locker, musing over Sunday night’s game that left him shy of 20 rebounds. The 7-foot-1 center was pulled late in a blowout victory over the Lakers.
“It is what it is,” he said after posting his 27th double-double of the season (21 points, 19 rebounds). It was another stellar game for the Clippers’ big man, except for that one nagging, missing board.
“Ty Lue don’t want to see me be great,” Zubac said, hiding a wry smile.
While the Clippers’ head coach has the power to dictate minutes, Lue can’t create the kind of talent Zubac brings to the court every night, such as how he protects the paint (51 blocked shots this season), has improved his jump hook shot to perfection (61.5% field goal percentage this season) and solidified his pick-and-roll relationship with point guard James Harden.
His influence on the court was never more evident than when he sat out Monday’s 112-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls because of an eye injury. The Bulls continually drove inside, scoring 44 points in the paint, outrebounding the Clippers 54-40 and getting 13 second-chance points.
Without Zubac, Bulls guard Zach LaVine burned the Clippers for 35 points – 15 in a key third quarter as the Clippers’ defense stumbled. The Bulls dominated the third, outscoring the Clippers 36-16.
“We love Zu over here. He’s been great all year long,” Lue said after the win against the Lakers. “All year long Zu’s been good. He can post the ball and slow the game down. Coming out of a timeout, how many times before, we would have come out of a timeout with James, Norm (Norman Powell) on the floor, and Zu in the post and he gets us a three-point play to go up 14 when the lead was cut down to 11.
“Just the confidence that we have in him, the confidence that the players have in him as well and just keep building and keep getting better.”
The evidence is in the numbers.
Zubac is posting career highs in points (15.0), rebounds (12.7) and assists (2.6) in a career-best 31.9 minutes per game. He ranks fourth in the league in rebounding and is one of just four NBA players averaging at least 15 points and 12 rebounds this season.
Zubac also has posted 16 or more boards in four of the past seven games, averaging 15.4 pts, 14.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.3 blocks while shooting 64.8% over that stretch.
And his statistics don’t reflect the number of times he disrupts shots or holds opponents accountable.
“I think that (more minutes) helps a lot. Just being out there most of the time, the biggest guy on the floor, so I should be able to get 10 boards and getting more looks on the offensive end, getting some post ups and stuff,” Zubac said. “So, feeling pretty good out there, comfortable. I’m out there a lot, so there shouldn’t be a reason that streak should be one more.”
Zubac’s increased level of play shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, namely himself. He said he spends the summers fine-tuning his game that has made him one of the top true centers in the league. The extra work would be needed this season.
With Kawhi Leonard’s comeback delayed by lingering knee issues and All-Star wing Paul George departed for the Philadelphia 76ers, Zubac said he knew the Clippers needed him to carry more of the load. He was ready.
“I’ve been confident in my game. I always knew what I could do,” said Zubac, who in August agreed to a three-year, $58.65 million contract extension that begins next season. “It was just not my role (before). I was patient, I was waiting, and this year I knew I would have to step up offensively.”
Lue isn’t the only person who has noticed the change in the big man. His teammates and opponents alike have taken note.
“He’s patient now in the post, he’s able to make quick moves, he’s scoring over double-teams at times and making the right read,” Leonard said. “He’s also been very aggressive attacking on the defensive end and getting blocks and rebounds, and he just keeps growing and he’s getting more opportunities out there. He’s looking good.”
Lakers star big man Anthony Davis praised Zubac after Sunday’s game.
“He’s worked on his post game, getting into that jump hook. He has always been a good screener, good roller … offensive rebounder, good rim protector,” Davis said.
“He’s developed his post game where they are throwing it to him and he’s finishing with his right hook. So, you know, he’s added that to his arsenal.”
CELTICS AT CLIPPERS
When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome
TV/radio: FDSN SoCal, 570 AM