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Par Joël Pütz | Journaliste sportif
While Ivica Zubac has never left Los Angeles since the beginning of his NBA career, he has had the opportunity to wear the jersey of both local franchises. The Croatian spoke honestly about his failed stint with the Lakers in a recent interview.
If the Clippers have been so successful this season despite Kawhi Leonard’s long absence, it’s also largely thanks to him. Already a reliable starter at center for years, Ivica Zubac has put together the best season of his career, averaging nearly 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists. Enough to earn him votes for the MIP and a spot in the league’s All-NBA Second Defensive Team.
More than ever, his franchise can consider itself delighted to have him and, above all, to have had a good nose in snatching him from the Lakers in 2018-19. Drafted by the Purple and Gold, the Croatian wasn’t able to establish himself with them at a time when things were still a bit chaotic within the organization. Interviewed by Basketball Network recently, the big man is nevertheless certain that their fans would still like to have him among them:
Ivica Zubac speaks up about his move within LA
I know the fans definitely regret it… Every day when I go out, at least once a day, I hear about that trade and Mike Muscala… This is Lakers city and most people here are Lakers fans, so I hear about that trade every day. How they wish I was still on the team, how I’d be perfect for them now since they don’t have a center.
But for me, it worked out well. Back then, I didn’t play much there, I didn’t have much of a role, and then I got a much bigger role — I was a starter from the start with the Clippers. So in the end, it turned out great for me. Whether the club regrets it now, I don’t know, but I do know the fans do.
Considering how much the Lakers have struggled at center this season, we can only agree with such comments. His all-European partnership with Luka Doncic could have been very interesting, but instead, it’s James Harden who’s feeding Zubac balls under the basket. Not bad either, according to the latter, who is delighted to play with The Beard:
I’ve never had a point guard who’s so pass-first. I mean, Harden is more known as a scorer, but at this stage of his career, he’s really focused on being a playmaker — getting everyone involved and making things easier for the whole team. (…) He’s incredibly smart, understands what works for each player, and tries to simplify the game for everyone around him.
