Los Angeles Lakers Report Card: First Quarter Player Grades

Los Angeles Lakers: 4 training camp battles to watch for — LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 2: Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets introduced in the starting line up before the game against the Denver Nuggets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

C Ivica Zubac

“ZuBlokca” needed to take the next step as a role-player for the Lakers coming into the season. Just after a season-ending ankle injury, Zubac’s next step was to prove his worth in the league. However, the 7’1″ Croatian has hit a wall. Why the stoppage?

Everything changed when Magic Johnson signed veteran Andrew Bogut to a one-year deal. It effectively cut Zubac’s playing time, as the center has bounced in-and-out of the G-League.

Zubac has appeared in just five games for the Lakers this season. He was not efficient on offense, either. Ivica has posted more turnovers than blocks this year (2-0).

I can’t grade Zubac at this point, and the NBA cannot either. In a league dominated by small-ball lineups (*cough* Warriors, Rockets, Cavaliers *cough*), Ivica might not even have a place on any team once it is all said and done. If an injury were to occur to Bogut, we will come back to the daunting big man.