Ivica Zubac, the Los Angeles Clippers’ towering presence within the paint, is lastly gaining recognition.
NBA analyst Invoice Simmons just lately showered the Croatian huge man with excessive reward, even evaluating him to former Defensive Participant of the Yr, Marc Gasol.
On his podcast, Simmons drew placing parallels between Ivica Zubac and the Spanish legend.
“This man actually jogs my memory of this (Marc) Gasol on the Grizzlies, that 2013, 2014, 2015 period Gasol,” Simmons remarked.
However Simmons didn’t cease there. He boldly urged Zubac may even surpass Gasol in sure points. “He’s huge. He’s all the time in prepared place together with his palms up and gamers from the opposite crew are all the time afraid of him defending the rim. He’s a greater rebounder than Gasol was,” Simmons declared.
The numbers again up this declare. Zubac is averaging a formidable 16.8 factors, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks this season.
Within the common season finale towards the Warriors, Zubac demonstrated his elite capabilities with 22 factors and 13 defensive rebounds whereas establishing a formidable presence defending the rim.
Whereas conversations in regards to the Clippers usually revolve round stars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, Simmons believes Zubac deserves extra recognition.
“Zubac, like, extremely vital for this crew and kinda higher than folks notice. You watched the sport (vs Warriors), he was superior,” Simmons emphasised.
The Ringer founder even went so far as to counsel All-NBA honors for the Clippers heart. “I feel he’s gonna be within the third crew All-NBA for me,” he acknowledged confidently.
As Zubac and the Clippers put together to face the Denver Nuggets within the first spherical of the playoffs, Simmons dropped his most audacious take but.
“I feel he’s the third greatest heart in basketball proper now, behind Karl-Anthony Cities and (Nikola) Jokic clearly. Jokic is primary however I feel he (Zubac) is third.”
Other than having actually good numbers, Zubac sturdiness can also be equally exceptional. He’s appeared in 80 video games and have become a cornerstone within the Clippers’ automated playoff qualification.
With such excessive reward from one in all basketball’s most revered voices, all eyes will likely be on Zubac as he seems to be to show Simmons proper within the postseason highlight.
