Points / Possessions is the operative one, right? Highest number per = most efficient? He's smokin' fools in the 2nd round as well.
I watched bynum and zubac in the summer league. At this point, zubac looks better. Bynum was a chubby slow kid at first with a nice touch around the rim, but thats about it. Zubac has shown a lot IMO. That being said, im not saying he will be better than bynum was in his time.
Zubac and it isn't close. His play reminds me ALOT of Vlade Divac when he first started playing in the NBA. He just had a feel for the game that you know when you see it. Competition will be better in preseason and then in the regular season but Zubac will adjust as he continues to improve and understand the system. For all the disastrous free agent stuff and FO drama, the Lakers have a sold A in the drafting department the last 3 years. They look to be 5/6 for those picks the last 3 years and the juror is still out on Anthony Brown but Lakers have the ability to be patient with him.
I know this is nitpicky, but Zubac does not look to be 7'1 to me. Looks more 6'10-6'11. Anyone know his draft measurables?
For a bigger player I'm really surprised how smooth everything looks from him. Then again we are going from the awkward Hibbert to this...
He's a big dude and looks 7' or 7'1" to me. Here's Draft Express saying 7'1" http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ivica-Zubac-73314/
Speaking of I read somewhere he only worked out for a couple of ...or for a few teams. Did the Lakers work him out? If not, another case of Mitch being a sly, silver haired fox, playing it close to the vest with only going by their own European scouting, and if maybe someone stateside also traveled to see him like he himself did with Bender?
Answering part of and maybe all of my question above, reading this Silver Screen and Roll article again (worth it just for all of Zu's quotes and other knowledgeable NBA types talking about his potential) ..... says that Mitch did see Zubac himself in person in Europe like with Bender. Am guessing it's true we did not bring Zu in, rather were stealth like in our desire for him. http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/...second-round-pick-ivica-zubac-quotes-analysis
Seriously. Not counting #3 where he wasn't going to go, they had #16, #23, and the most importantly one: #31! They had the pick right before ours in the 2nd round and still missed him. In fact they traded that pick away. Ainge is a dummy who has failed upwards and somehow convinced the world that the C Bags are legitimate and we're not just because they play in the Eastern Conference. I can't wait to see us beat them next year so everyone can get slapped back to reality.
I just realized he played a bit of pf last game with fall on the floor. I wonder if we plan on putting both he and Mozgov on the floor?
I don't see why he couldn't slot in at PF occasionally since he can hit a jumper effectively. If we want to go with a huge ball lineup, but I don't know how often we'll pull something like that. Great to have that versatility though.
As I said earlier Zu loving life now.... it is Good to be Zu. Ivica Zubac Was Lakers Best All-Around Player In Summer League By Hannah Kulik - 07/17/2016 http://www.lakersnation.com/ivica-zubac-was-lakers-best-all-around-player-in-summer-league/2016/07/17/ Until the NBA Draft last month, no one had ever heard of Ivica Zubac. When his name was called by the commissioner, fans were still celebrating the team’s selection of Brandon Ingram with the second pick in the first round. The few people who were paying attention saw a big kid with a broad smile on his face, who was unabashedly gleeful in the obligatory interview that followed as he explained in broken English that he always dreamed of playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. What a difference a month makes. Not only has Zubac charmed his way into the hearts and minds of Lakers fans everywhere, but it turns out he is also a skilled basketball player with a great deal of potential. At age 19, he is only going to get bigger and stronger. The truth is, he was the best and most consistent performer on the team’s Summer League squad which just completed its 2016 schedule. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Much has been written about D’Angelo Russell’s improvement this summer. He emerged as a strong leader, and his ability to score in a variety of ways was impressive. But in certain crucial areas Russell was unable to silence those who continue to question if he is a real point guard. He did not get his teammates involved in the flow of the offense or create easy shots for others. He did not facilitate ball movement, and his defense was still questionable. His frequent turnovers were also worrisome. Russell emerged from Summer League a far more confident player which is a great sign, but his performance left important questions unanswered. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Larry Nance, Jr. also showcased his improved skills in Summer League until he was injured in the last minute of a disappointing loss to Cleveland. Except for the third game against Golden State in which he completely disappeared and did not score, Nance showed improved outside shooting, rebounding, and shot blocking ability to go along with his ever-present hustle and ability to finish around the rim. If he stays healthy, Nance is slotted to play a major role as Julius Randle’s backup at power forward and may also see regular action if the team goes to a small-ball line-up. The player Lakers fans were most excited to see in Summer League was Ingram. He had a solid first game but then struggled in the next three contests. Opposing players started to get more physical, and Ingram had trouble responding. In the final game, Ingram finally put it together, scoring in a variety of ways and finishing with 22 points. He also grabbed five rebounds, had four assists, and used his length effectively on defense. Ty Nowell/Lakers.com Ingram did not make the splash in Summer League that fans expected, but he has excellent form and did not get discouraged. There is every reason to believe he has a bright future as he matures and grows stronger. Russell, Nance, and Ingram had big moments, but it was Zubac who stole the show. At 7’1″, 265 pounds, he was a big presence in the paint. While he is not a great leaper, he vigorously contested shots around the rim and with his long arms extended it was hard to shoot over him. His shot blocking ability was impressive, the result of high energy, desire, and timing. It was on offense that Zubac was surprising. He has a consistent mid-range shot and great footwork in the paint that enabled him to score in a variety of ways from shorter range. He also ran the court and scored effectively on the break. Zubac ended his Summer League experience on a high note, scoring 16 points, grabbing 11 rebounds (six of which were offensive), and blocking six shots, in a close loss to the Utah Jazz. Afterward, he announced that he was returning to Croatia for a week before returning to Los Angeles to work on his strength and conditioning the rest of the summer. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Any discussion of Zubac would be incomplete without commenting on his happy and positive demeanor on and off the court. It is very refreshing to see an athlete in this era who smiles and expresses joy at the idea of playing a game for a living and doing so for a storied franchise like the Lakers. In an honest and natural way, he has already become a favorite of Lakers fans, media, and his teammates. Despite all he has shown this past week, some are still questioning whether Ivica Zubac will be on the regular season roster when the season starts. When he was drafted, there were suggestions he might be better off remaining in Europe for another year or two. Then there was speculation that he might be assigned to play in the D-League this year. With all due respect to the skeptics, the better question is how does the coaching staff keep him out of the regular rotation next season and at what point will fans start chanting his name if he’s not playing?
