INGLEWOOD — The season is just a week old, yet certain buzz words permeate the Clippers’ talk. Terms, such as hard work, defense and opportunity. Lots of opportunities.
Ivica Zubac is the NBA’s early leader in rebounds with 14 boards per game because of the opportunity to have the ball in his hands more often this season. He has scored 20-plus points in the first three games, the second Clippers center to hit that mark since Bob McAdoo did so three times (1974, ’75, ’76).
And according to Coach Tyronn Lue, the Clippers’ big man isn’t done.
“I think he’s going to get better throughout the course of the season,” Lue said after Tuesday’s practice.
“He’s been really good. I think just coming in, letting him know that we are going to try to post him more, try to get the ball in his hands more and he’s taking advantage of it.
“I played him a lot of minutes early on, but we needed it just for his rebounding and his presence on the floor offensively. So, I got to find days like this to give him some rest. But we need him on the floor right now.”
Zubac said consistency is key to his success.
“I’m trying to bring the same stuff every night for the team so they can count on me,” Zubac told reporters after the Clippers’ 112-104 road victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. “They can count on me on the defensive end and the offensive end, they can count on me to rebound, to protect the rim, score in the post, finish around the rim so I’m trying my best to bring that consistency.”
Another player getting a chance to make an impact is Norman Powell. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is averaging 24.7 points and is shooting 51.9% from the field and 40% from 3-point range in his first starting role with the Clippers – a result of more playing time. He is seeing 33.7 minutes per game.
“Playing more minutes, playing against starters instead of bench players,” Lue said of Powell’s quick start. “Just getting more minutes and we know that at any point he can get going offensively.”
Like Powell did in the Clippers’ 109-104 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. He scored 37 points on 7-of-11 shooting from long range (66.7%) in 33 minutes. He followed that performance the next night with 20 points in 28 minutes against the Warriors.
“I think it was big for Norm (Norman Powell) to get going in that second half,” Lue said after Sunday’s game. “I think it was huge. Like I said, Norm, he didn’t press.
“He said I have to play better in the second half and make some big shots, and in that second half, he really carried us offensively.”
Derrick Jones Jr. also is making the most of his opportunity on the defensive end, collecting five steals, five rebounds and numerous deflections through three games.
“I mean, some guys have it (an instinct for defense) and some guys learn it. For me, I was one of those guys that could play defense,” Jones said. “I watched a lot of film and watched guys’ tendencies, so I learned a lot more on the defensive end.
“Which is why I’m as confident as I am in my defensive game.”
And a key reason Lue is confident in letting Kris Dunn and Jones roam the court.
“We want to create, generate more steals, get more opportunities to get out in transition and those are two guys who can do it,” Lue said. “They can guard one-on-one and also be in the passing lanes and getting steals. When you see a guy throwing a pass, or a guy dribbling next to you, you have to go for the steal, go for the ball and they’ve been very good at that.”
LEONARD, BAMBA OUT
Kawhi Leonard roamed the edges of the court while talking on his phone and Mo Bamba put up shots toward the end of Tuesday’s practice, but neither will be suited up when the Clippers host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, the first game of a back-to-back set and the beginning of a five-game homestand.
Leonard is dealing with continued right knee issues, while Bamba has not played this season because of knee soreness.
“They are out the next two games, that’s all I know,” Lue said. “Those guys are coming along, putting in the work every day to get better, but they are out the next two games. We have to focus on us.”
BLAZERS AT CLIPPERS
When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood
TV/Radio: KTLA (Ch. 5), 1150 AM