The Lakers Should Have Cold Sweats About Losing Ivica Zubac To The Clippers

The rivalry in Los Angeles is about to really heat up. Get ready for 10 rounds of LeBron James and Anthony Davis vs. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The rest of the rosters may ultimately decide which LA team prevails this upcoming season. If it comes down to revenge, the Clippers have a big edge. It’s one thing that Paul George didn’t want to play with LeBron James. It’s another thing that the Lakers traded away Lou Williams and now he has been punishing them. Even most people would consider the Lakers drafting Patrick Beverley to be the icing on the cake. Nope! It’s losing Ivica Zubac that should really give the Lakers cold sweats at night.

We all know about LeBron James’ awful track record when it comes to making roster decisions. Or maybe we can put this blame on Magic Johnson and or Rob Pelinka. Either way, trading away Ivica Zubac is a mistake that will haunt the Lakers. During the most recent trade deadline, the Clippers sent Mike Muscala to the Lakers for Ivica Zubac. At the time, it made no sense. At present day, it still makes no sense. Zubac was seeing about 15 minutes a night with the Lakers during his age 21 season. Zubac checks in at 7-foot-1 and was knocking down 58 percent of his shots and .864 percent of his free throws. The ability to knock down free throws at that rate is incredible for a center. Zubac also showed signs of being a really productive playmaker within an offense. He just needed a bigger opportunity and time to develop. Zubac was also making pennies as a former 2nd round pick. The Lakers gave that away for an expiring Muscala. All because cry baby LeBron didn’t like playing with young players. He prefers bums like McGee instead.

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Zubac became the starting center for a playoff team. After the Clippers traded away Tobias Harris, the Clippers should have went into tank mode. That didn’t happen. This team made the playoffs and actually got better with Zubac. Just listen to what Doc Rivers had to say after the Clippers acquired Zubac.

He’s a great rim runner, excellent hands, and a problem on the defensive end. Oh, and he couldn’t believe the Lakers were stupid enough to give him away. That sums up everything that needs to be said. Whether it be Montrezl Harrell (who is also a monster and one of the best emerging bigs in the sport) or Zubac, the Clippers have an amazing big duo few teams can match. This is the type of core the Clippers already had in place prior to landing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. This is the reason why the Clippers made the playoffs and the Lakers didn’t. Zubac is only going to get better. Zubac is staying on what may turn into a really good contract signing a 4-year, $28 million contract.

Instead, the Lakers will counter with DeMarcus Cousins and JaVale McGee. Both players who’s best days are behind them. Cousins was a shell of his self coming back from the torn Achilles. Cousins was a complete liability on the defensive end for the Warriors where teams ran the whoever offense on him routinely. Cousins is starting to become an unplayable player who can’t get up and down the court. Counting on a big center to bounce back is an iffy proposition. We also have JaVale McGee. Do I really need to say anything else? Don’t you think that Zubac is itching to beat these two guys up playing against a team that didn’t believe in him?

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George is already the better duo over Anthony Davis and LeBron James. It’s guys like Ivica Zubac that makes it a clear and obvious edge for the Clippers. The Clippers will show that the Lakers are going to be irrelevant in Los Angeles. LA is officially a Clipper town.