Lakers rookie Ivica Zubac is forcing his way into the starting lineup with his play as of late.
Ivica Zubac was selected by Los Angeles with the No. 32 pick in the 2016 draft. Since then he’s gone back and forth between being in the D-league and getting called up to the Lakers squad. As of late Zubac, has been showing why everyone is so high on him as a prospect. He has currently strung together three double-figure scoring nights and a career high 17 points against the Nuggets.
His recent performances have Laker fans salivating over his potential and for good reason. He’s been showing a lot of what he can bring to the basketball court that a guy like Mozgov hasn’t shown this year.
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For starters, Zubac, formerly known as Zublocka, is a great rim protector and overall defender. Bigs, as well as guards, have been made aware of his presence when they drive to the rim. This is something that has been absent with Mozgov patrolling the paint.
Zubac is also a better pick and roll defender because his big body and long arms are able to deflect passes or shots. Mozgov also has both those things but he hasn’t shown the ability to do these things while defending the pick and roll. Because of Zubac’s speed and length, he can keep up with guards driving to the rim and maybe block their shot.
Zubac also shows potential to be a strong rebounder. In the past three games alone he’s been able to grab ten boards twice. Mozgov is averaging more rebounds per game the Zubac but if he didn’t that’d be pretty disappointing considering the disparity of minutes between the two. Speaking of minutes, that’s what made Zubac’s double-doubles most impressive. He was able to get those double-doubles in under 30 minutes of play.
Pick and roll offense also becomes a lot easier with Zubac on the floor opposed to Mozgov. Zubac is a big guy who knows how to set some good picks. Clarkson and Russell have been able to get wide open shots off of a Zubac screen. The intriguing part of this potential starting line-up is that Russell is also good in the pick and roll situation. I can see the two of them becoming a dangerous pick and roll tandem in the future. We know that practice makes perfect so why not start practicing now and make Zubac a starter?
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Mozgov is only averaging seven points per game, but Zubac is already averaging half of that in very limited minutes. Zubac could also create more fast break points for the starting five because he’s faster than most bigs. You know if Zubac beats his man down the floor Russell will look to reward him.