After years of the LA Clippers falling short of their title hopes, it’s hard to call them underrated. If anything, they are the polar opposite.
Between Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers have long had very real title expectations, but are one of only five teams to have never made the Finals.
However, it’s impossible to count them out. Last season, they went 50-32 and took the Denver Nuggets to seven games. This summer, they added Bradley Beal, John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Paul.
The Clippers are mostly healthy and have a very real shot this season, even in the Western Conference. As they look to improve, one player is expected to break out.
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MAY 01: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers defends against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome on May 01, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Ivica Zubac to Take a Leap for LA Clippers
On October 12th, the Clippers took on the Nuggets in a regular-season game. Both teams trotted out their starting lineup to begin the game, with Denver winning by eight points.
Clippers‘ center Ivica Zubac offered 11 points, ten rebounds, and two steals. He looked to be Nikola Jokic’s foil during the game, showcasing why he made his first All-Defensive Team last season.
One expert has set the bar even higher for him.
“Ivica Zubac is going to make All-NBA,” predicted Brian Windhorst on the October 13th episode of the Hoop Collective podcast. “Zubac looks awesome.”
Last season, Zubac posted career numbers with 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds to go with 1.8 stocks. He is the perfect offensive partner to James Harden and an excellent defensive anchor to back up Leonard down low.
Even with Lopez coming off the bench and Collins expected to play some small-ball center, Zubac is primed to dominate.
LA Clippers Built Roster to Maximize Zubac
In an effort to shoulder some of Leonard’s facilitating burden, the Clippers traded for Harden in 2023. To take away some of the scoring pressure their duo faced, the Clippers signed Beal this summer.
While maximizing Leonard has long been the goal in Los Angeles, Zubac is poised to thrive. Lopez can space the floor on offense and share rebounding duties in twin-tower lineups, and Collins, Beal, Harden, Leonard, and Derrick Jones Jr. can all space the floor for Zubac to have the paint to himself.
Zubac is not as versatile as Jokic or Joel Embiid, but he is just as physically imposing and can slow down anyone on defense. Usually, three traditional centers make the All-NBA teams. Assuming everyone stays healthy, Zubac is a distant pick behind Jokic, Embiid, Victor Wembanyama, Evan Mobley, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Aside from Jokic, all of those players have injury concerns. Zubac, meanwhile, has hit the 65-game threshold in all of the last six seasons. If the All-NBA race comes down to availability, he has a pretty secure bid.
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