Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Goals for Ivica Zubac in the 2017-18 season

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Kyle Kuzma #0 and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers high-five after Kuzma hit a 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 13, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 94-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 17: Jorge Gutierrez /

Goal No. 1: Be stronger in the paint

If you have studied the play of European basketball players, you will find that moving strong to the basket and drawing hard fouls is not part of the game. Boxing out can be counted out. These things are taught from a very early age in the US. American players forget to box out as well, but every big man has seen Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and others kill the basket when they dunk the ball.

Zub started out in the NBA Summer League last season doing a good job trying to kill the basket and he had some exciting key blocks. In the D-League he battled for position to get the ball down low to go up and get a lay up, a sky hook or a dunk.

Then he moved onto the Lakers and showed promise, garnering respect from his fellow teammates and fans. This summer he seemed to revert back to pre-2016 form. Zub needs to step up and channel both Shaq and Kareem Abdul Jabbar this season. I hope the coaching staff have him working with both of them. He needs the killer instinct under the basket.

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