The Los Angeles Clippers have been performing well this season, despite Kawhi Leonard being out for more than two months. Their ranking in the Western Conference remains within the top seven, which is better than expected. With Leonard set to return, the Clippers' offensive and defensive capabilities are expected to significantly improve, once again making them contenders for the playoffs. The departure of Paul George has not affected the team, as Powell has had a breakout season, averaging 24 points with a three-point shooting percentage of 44.45%, his best performance yet. James Harden has been instrumental in maximizing the potential of players like Powell and Zubac.
Zubac, a second-round pick in 2016, initially played for the Lakers as a substitute, often during garbage time, averaging only 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. At that time, Zubac averaged less than 10 minutes per game. However, through hard work and improvement, he gradually increased his averages to 7 points and 4.9 rebounds, then 8.1 points and 7.2 rebounds. The Lakers later traded Zubac to the Clippers, where he became the starting center, receiving more opportunities and seeing an increase in his scoring and rebounding averages.
In the 2021-22 season, Zubac averaged 10.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists; in the 2022-23 season, he averaged 10.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. After Harden joined the Clippers last season, he helped Zubac improve his efficiency in scoring off screens and in pick-and-roll situations, resulting in averages of 11.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 blocks, with both points and blocks reaching new highs. This season, Zubac has been even more outstanding, averaging 15 points, 12.5 rebounds (third in the league), 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks, with a field goal percentage of 61% (all career highs).
According to NBA official statistics, Zubac leads the league with an average of 3.9 offensive rebounds per game. Who would have thought that Zubac, once ridiculed by fans as "Butterfingers + Softie," would become a pillar in the Clippers' frontcourt, with rebounding abilities among the top five in the league? This season, Zubac has repeatedly scored at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in a single game, which are All-Star center-level stats.
NBA data experts report that Zubac has already recorded 20+10 in 10 games this season, more than in his previous six seasons combined. In recent games against the Grizzlies, Zubac had 20 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks; in another game against the Grizzlies, he had 20 points, 20 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. Zubac even outplayed Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., with NBA journalists describing him as playing like a god of war, like an inner-line pillar.
This season, Zubac continues to set career highs in points, rebounds, and assists. In an interview, Zubac expressed his gratitude to Harden, stating that since Harden joined the team, he has been practicing pick-and-roll tactics with him, and now the Clippers' inside-outside pick-and-roll cooperation is becoming increasingly默契. Harden firmly believes in Zubac's strong ability to score off screens and grab rebounds, and he has indeed won his bet, unleashing the blue-collar center's strengths and making Zubac play as sharply as Capela. Blue-collar centers, when they meet Harden, truly seem to be in their element.
