The Los Angeles Clippers can thank the Los Angeles Lakers for last month's trade of Ivica Zubac - they can’t believe just how good things worked out.
Ivica Zubac left the Los Angeles Lakers and went to city rival, the Clippers, more than a month ago. The reactions to the trade, however, can still be heard from both Lakers and Clippers fans, reports Gol.hr on March 15, 2019.
The Lakers essentially gifted Zubac to the Clippers, as he was traded for almost nothing. Supporters of the Lakers haven't quite forgiven the administration for that move, and their city rivals still can’t believe the kind of player they received, for practically free. This was confirmed by Patrick Beverly, one of the most experienced in the Clippers team.
“He’s not one of those who fear someone's going to knock through them. Me and Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) put pressure and send Zubac opponents, and Zu is clean," he told The Athletic.
Beverly is known as a great defensive player, but also a great trash-talker. In his style, he commented on the move of his rivals.
"I tip my hat to Zubac; I did not know how good he was until he came to us. He is crucial in our plans. Thanks to the Lakers, we appreciate it,” he said.
Since Zubac has debuted for the new team, the Clippers have reached 9-4. The Croatian center played an average of 20.3 minutes in these games and had an average of 9.4 points (48 percent of shots in play), 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.8 blocks per game
The “Zubac effect” is best seen in the defensive performance of the team since his arrival. By the analysis of The Athletic, up to Zubac’s arrival, the Clippers received 110.2 points in 100 attacks, which was only enough for 19th place in the NBA. With Zubac in the starting five, they jumped to the 11th place with an impact of 108.8.
"We have a guard of the hoop. Montrezl Harrel does it occasionally, but Zubac is a true guardian of the basket, he is excellent in that. That's why we have improved,” said coach Doc Rivers, who has been phenomenal this season. With Zubac, he’s won another strong trump card in his tactical plans.
"He is very good at defending the pick and roll, he can really protect the hoop, he knows how to use his body, he is doing great things for us," said another experienced team player - 30-year-old Italian Danilo Gallinari, who this season is the second-best scorer on the team with 19.3 points per game.
The Clippers have to play 13 more matches in the regular season and hold onto the eighth place to get into the playoffs. In ninth is Sacramento who has six victories less and only theoretical chances of climbing over the Clippers.
If the playoffs started today, the Clippers would play against the current champions, the Warriors, though they still have a chance to secure a better draw - the sixth-place Utah Jazz and the seventh-place San Antonio Spurs have the same number of victories as the Los Angeles team. Fighting for a better position in the Western Conference will be anything but polite.
You can read the full Zubac story on The Athletic.
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