Walking into this season, I’ll admit I had my doubts about the Clippers. On paper, they looked like a powerhouse—stacked with talent, seasoned vets, and that Kawhi Leonard-Paul George duo that’s supposed to strike fear into opponents. But as any hoops fan knows, paper doesn’t win championships. So when we started breaking down the LA Clippers roster to figure out who’s making the biggest impact this season, I kept my expectations in check. What I didn’t expect was how clearly one name would rise above the rest—not Kawhi, not PG, but Ivica Zubac. Yeah, you heard me right. The big man in the middle has quietly become the team’s anchor, and I’m not just saying that because of his rebounding numbers.
Let me paint you a picture from earlier in the season. Remember that semifinal series everyone was talking about? Game 5 of the best-of-seven semifinal series is slated on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, and while that’s not an NBA matchup, it got me thinking about how crucial momentum swings are in high-stakes games. The Clippers have had a few of those moments this year, and more often than not, Zubac was right in the thick of it. Take that matchup against the Suns in November—Zu dropped 18 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and altered at least five shots at the rim. He wasn’t just filling the stat sheet; he was setting the tone. I’ve watched a lot of basketball over the years, and it’s rare to see a center with his combination of old-school physicality and modern defensive IQ. He’s averaging a career-high 12.5 rebounds per game, and honestly, it feels like he’s snagging every missed shot on both ends of the floor.
But here’s the thing—impact isn’t just about numbers. When I look at the Clippers’ lineup, I see a team that’s struggled with consistency, especially on defense. They’ll have stretches where they look unbeatable, followed by quarters where they can’t buy a stop. That’s where Zubac comes in. He’s not the flashiest player, but he’s the glue. I’ve noticed how the defense tightens up when he’s on the court; the communication improves, and guys seem to trust each other more. It’s like having a safety net back there. On offense, he’s developed a nice little chemistry with the guards on pick-and-rolls, and he’s shooting over 65% from the field. Compare that to last season, and it’s clear he’s put in the work. Still, the Clippers have had issues with closing out games, and part of that falls on the coaching staff not always leveraging Zu’s presence in crunch time.
So what’s the solution? In my opinion, the Clippers need to run more of the offense through Zubac in the high post. I know, I know—it sounds counterintuitive when you have scorers like Leonard and George. But think about it: when Zu gets touches, he’s either scoring efficiently or drawing double-teams that free up shooters. The data backs this up—in games where he’s taken 10 or more shots, the Clippers are 12-3. That’s not a coincidence. They should also consider giving him more minutes alongside smaller lineups to maximize his rim protection. I’ve seen him switch onto guards and hold his own, something not many seven-footers can do. If they want to make a deep playoff run, they’ve got to trust their big man more, plain and simple.
Reflecting on all this, it’s clear that breaking down the LA Clippers roster reveals a lot about what makes a team tick. Sometimes the most impactful player isn’t the one with the highest salary or the most highlights; it’s the one who does the dirty work, who sets the screens, who grabs those crucial boards. Zubac embodies that, and as a fan, it’s been a joy to watch his growth. I’ll be keeping a close eye on how the team utilizes him down the stretch—because if they get it right, they might just surprise a lot of people come playoff time.