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Los Angeles Lakers: Ivica Zubac takes responsibility for underwhelming season

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers goes to the hoop against Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half. The Lakers won 115-100 at Staples Center on April 11, 2018 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. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers goes to the hoop against Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half. The Lakers won 115-100 at Staples Center on April 11, 2018 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. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac took full responsibility for his struggles during the 2017-18 season.

The Los Angeles Lakers were fairly surprised by the production they received from Ivica Zubac during the 2016-17 season. The 19-year old rookie wasn’t expected to play much in his rookie season but surprised people when he was given playing time.

Zubac appeared in 38 games in his first season in the NBA, making 11 starts. In 16 minutes per game, he averaged 7.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.9 blocks per game. He showed a lot of promise and looked like he would be a part of the Lakers‘ young core moving forward.

Zubac showed a knack to protect the rim and had a pretty developed offensive game. He went into the offseason with high hopes for his second season, but things did not go as planned.

While Zubac’s play showed promise, that didn’t stop the Lakers from adding players at his position. Los Angeles eventually added three centers in the offseason.

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Los Angeles acquired center Brook Lopez from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade prior to the 2017 NBA Draft. That gave the Lakers a new starting center. Thomas Bryant was selected with the No. 42 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Andrew Bogut was also signed prior to training camp.

It was a head-scratching decision at the time, but one that the Lakers were smart in making. Zubac struggled during the Las Vegas Summer League, and those struggles carried over to the preseason and regular season.

Zubac struggled mightily throughout the season. He spent about half the season in the G League with the South Bay Lakers, never really finding a spot in the Lakers’ rotation during the season.

Zubac ended up playing in 43 games, averaging 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in only 9.7 minutes per game. It was a disappointing second season in the NBA, one that Zubac takes full responsibility for.

"“I didn’t get prepared like I wanted to. I could’ve done much better. It was my first summer in the NBA, so now I know the things I have to work on,” he explained."

Some of the things that Zubac said he was told to work on was getting his body into better shape, getting stronger and quicker. Quickness should be at the top of his to-do list this offseason.

Zubac looked out of place at times during the season when he was with the Lakers. His lumbering style, much like Lopez, does not exactly fit with the uptempo style that the Lakers are playing under Luke Walton.

Despite the tough situation, Zubac kept his spirits up during the season.

"“After my first year I expected more, but we got some big guys through trades and signed some guys. I was one of the youngest guys, and it’s just how it goes. I was working hard, waiting for my opportunity,” Zubac said, although he was at least confident that he finished the season strong.“At the end of the year I got into the rotation and I’m pretty happy with how I played,” he added."

Zubac received some more minutes at the end of the season and looked more like the player we saw during his rookie season. While his second season was disappointing overall, he has a chance to carve out a role on the team next season.

Right now, Zubac and Bryant are the only centers on the Lakers roster, and both have non-guaranteed contracts. There will probably be some centers added throughout the offseason again, but if Zubac is showing progress during the offseason the Lakers could stick with him in the rotation.

Next: Los Angeles Lakers Ultimate Guide to 2018 Offseason

This upcoming offseason is an important one for Zubac’s future with the Lakers. Entering his third season, he has to show progress or his roster spot could be in danger.

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