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Lakers: Ivica Zubac is LA’s Next Great Center

By C.J. Mendenhall

July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Ivica Zubac speaks to media at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Ivica Zubac speaks to media at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers made an early splash in free agency last summer by signing Timofey Mozgov to a huge contract. But, a less-likely candidate has emerged as their possible center for years to come.

When the Lakers signed Timofey Mozgov to a four-year, $64 million contract, it was expected he would be the starting center at least for this season. Not many expected the role would be taken over by a guy who many had not even heard of prior to the 2016 NBA draft.

Mozgov is an NBA veteran, fresh off a championship season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although his career stats are modest, Lakers fans hoped he could man the middle, and provide better rim protection than the team has had in recent years. Although he has played decent for the Lakers, he hasn’t stood out as a guy who is worth the contract they gave him.

Enter Ivica Zubac. The Bosnian, second-round draft pick of 2016 was not expected to make much of an impact this season. However, he has quickly become a fan favorite, even earning multiple nicknames such as ‘Zublocka’ and ‘Zupac’ (a reference to 90’s hip-hop artist, Tupac Shakur).

Zubac spent most of his time playing in the D-League in the beginning of the season. Occasionally, he would be called up to play for the Lakers but would receive limited minutes behind Mozgov and Tarik Black at center. After impressing in the D-League, the Lakers’ coaching staff decided to give him more run in the NBA.

Jan 31, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) looks to pass to as he is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) looks to pass to as he is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

He started as a reserve and has only recently cracked the starting lineup, getting the nod to start in their last 2 games. Although he is averaging a modest 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds on the season, his numbers have jumped significantly, averaging 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in the past week. (Per ESPN.com) His shooting percentage has also increased from 53 percent on the season to 69 percent in the same recent span. (Per ESPN.com)

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But is it good for the team to start him instead of the veteran and NBA champion? Obviously part of the reasoning is to get the 19-year-old more minutes in a season where the playoffs are out of reach, but there’s more to it than that. Zubac is more exciting than Mozgov has been. For example, in Sunday’s game against the 76ers, he blocked 4 shots in just the first quarter. The next night, against the Nuggets, he compiled a team-high 25 points and added 11 rebounds.

Keep in mind, we’re talking about a 19-year-old who was chosen with the 32nd pick in the draft. If he can put up these kinds of numbers on a regular basis, he can really help this team get back into contention. If he can improve as he gets older and adjusts to the NBA, he could be quite a handful for the opposition, for years to come.

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Ivica Zubac has length, rim-protection, a soft shooting touch, and tons of potential. He is already looking like a steal in the draft. The Lakers have a rich history of great big men, and they are hoping Zubac can develop into just that.

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