I know the caveat. It’s only summer league. I’ve been saying it myself since before the games started and continued echoing the point through every performance by every player. Here’s the thing, though. While it’s easy to dismiss any strong (or poor) performance with that mantra, evaluations from the summer aren’t completely useless.
Summer will never tell us the entire story, but if you watch intently enough, it can give you hints as to what is possible for a player. Especially when what you see isn’t so much based on athleticism or eye popping numbers, but innate skills or traits which will carry forward regardless of the competition level.
This brings us to Lakers’ 2nd round pick Ivica Zubac. The Bosnian by way of Croatia had a really strong showing in Vegas and looks as though he might end up being a steal of the draft. His all-around play showed glimpses of high level two-way play and hinted that he might be more ready than assumed for a 19 year old Euro big man who missed most of last season dealing with injury and contract issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vON2U2nJJ6g
Beyond his size, the things which stood out to me most in watch Zubac were his defensive instincts, how good his hands are, and his shooting touch all over the floor.
In the clip above, you can see how many shots he blocked — he averaged nearly two and a half blocks, including a 6 block effort against the Jazz — but what impressed me most wasn’t the actual blocks but how he put himself in position to get them. He showed good awareness in moving from weak to strong side as a help defender, showed excellent timing in when to elevate to contest, and did a great job of keeping his distance from the shooter to avoid fouls and not let guys get into his chest where he could be neurtalized.
Regarding his hands, he simply caught everything. Post entries, bullet passes out of the P&R, drop bounce passes in traffic, rebounds, lobs, everything. Rarely did I see him fumble the ball, even on passes where he might have been caught off guard or if he had to make an adjustment to snare it. These are small things and I don’t want to make catching the ball a big deal, but good hands are important and Zubac looks to have them.
While the defense and the hands impressed, what surprised me most was how capable he looked on offense. The scouting reports I read said he had offensive potential, but I did not expect to see him convert at the rate he did and show the varied ways he could already score. Yes, his post moves were fairly basic and he never really showed a strong counter game which involved up and unders, spins, or multiple fakes.
What he did show, though, was a nice mid-range jumper, a turnaround jumper out to 8-10 feet, and a nice jump hook after power dribbles. He also showed he could run post lane sprints to finish, crash the offensive glass for tips and follows, and a good ability to set solid screens and make himself a target as a roll man. Again, nothing ground shattering here, but enough of a base to be the beginnings of a nice repertoire. Especially for a 19 year old.
It is that last point which bears repeating — he is still only 19 and will not be 20 until mid March. This makes him younger than D’Angelo Russell was when he was drafted. To show the well roundedness he has at this early a stage gives me hope he can be really good in time and well worth the 32nd pick in the draft.
And that’s the ultimate point here. Zubac clearly could have gone higher in the draft. It was reported he turned down “draft and stash” offers which would have had him selected 1st round only to remain overseas. During the Jazz game Brian Shaw said Zubac was #16 on the Lakers’ draft board. So, more than anything else, maybe it’s just a confluence of circumstances he was there in the 2nd round at all.
But he was and the Lakers took him, getting what looks to be a steal of the draft in the process.
barry_g says
When you’re that size, fundamentals can get you pretty darn far (just look at the “big fundamentals” himself, Timmy D). Zubac does a great job tracking the ball on d while sticking to his man, and his shooting touch from mid range was a nice surprise to me. On top of that, seems like a great kid who gives an awesome interview – nice job by the front office in finding this potential diamond in the rough at 32. Once he gets used to NBA speed and gets a good grasp of verticality, he could be very impactful on both sides of the court. Hope he has a strong rookie season and continues to grow from there.
bleedpurplegold says
As much as i was surprised myself that his talents translated so well to the SL game, zubac already showed glimpses of this kind of play. He was shattering his competition in the U19 World Cup. When going up against guys his age and stature he always shined. Thats why i am pretty optimistic about him.
LakersMoJo says
I agree, I think Zubac is looking like a steal. I love how mobile he is. I love how he is a huge Laker fan. Will put forth his best effort because he’s proud to be a Laker and will play with passion. Also love how he’s so enthusiastic and positive, great for locker room chemistry and culture building. I wrote about it on my most recent post in my blog if you wanna check it out. LakersMoJo
wwlofficial says
Smooth touch, rim protection, hunger, fire and just 100% want to be a Laker.
FredP says
Zubac does a terrific job of controlling the ball on his blocks. He either directs the block toward teammates or grabs the ball outright. You would think he had played at UCLA under Wooden.
Joel_ says
Darius, I think catching the ball is a pretty big deal in today’s pick-and-roll-heavy league. You’re right to highlight it among everything else. Think of how much better Kwame could have been if he’d been able to master that basic skill…
George11Best says
The new Vlade Divac.
MT87 says
I like Zubac a lot and I think he is going to be a starting center in the NBA. A lot of us have been comparing him to Marc Gasol and I think that is where his ceiling is. We are all probably premature in talking about Zubac reaching that level but I think he is going to at least be a Robin Lopez kind of player which is still a quality starting center.
wwlofficial says
I’d like to open discussion w/ regards to the current Laker roster.
For one, we know that developing our young talent is of prime importance. That means, our signings this year (Mozgov and Deng) understand this concept. At times, at the expense of wins. At times, to sacrifice a potential win for more wins in the future. Meaning, playing time to our core of 6-7 guys is basically a given.
Roster as of 18 July 2016:
5: Timofey Mozgov – Tarik Black – Ivica Zubac
4: Luol Deng – Julius Randle – Larry Nance Jr
3: Brandon Ingram – Anthony Brown – Nick Young
2: Jordan Clarkson – Lou Williams
1: D’Angelo Russell – Jose Calderon – Marcelo Huertas
Notice that I have put Deng as a 4. Per consultation from fans from Heat and other teams, Deng was actually terrible at the 3 (according to them) and only became better (and thrived) once he was designed as stretch 4. In essence, a Walton team also needs a stretch 4 esp with Mozgov clogging the lane.
If we signed Deng to be our SF, then we are in trouble. Although, we did do that partly because Ingram is not ready to take on the SF full time just yet. Maybe start him off slower w/ contact at SG since he does have the handles to bring the ball up front and make plays. In effect, I believe we signed Deng due to the ff reasons:
1. Waton’s offense would thrive w/ a stretch 4.
2. Mozgov is clogging the paint.
3. Deng is a veteran who can teach the younger kids defense and leadership.
4. High character professional.
5. Lack of confidence in Randle’s abilities.
I for one, do not regret picking Randle in retrospect. I still would take him over Embiid, Smart and Exum and Gordon (guys picked ahead) and Stauskas, Vonleh and Payton (guys picked behind). But his game is not in tune with what we need, as a lockdown defender at the 4.
In effect, I actually prefer Larry Nance, Jr.. Not just because he is a crowd-pleaser, high-flyer and ego-less, but due to his ability to expand his game and fit in today’s game well. He isn’t much of a playmaker, but he does things that are positive to the team whenever he’s on the court.
So, with us bringing in Deng for 4 years, Nance fitting in better and has less of an ego to accept a reserve role, wouldn’t it do us good if we ventured Randle if/when he doesn’t fit in?
I would like some thoughts on this.
matt24 says
Here is a list of 2nd round (possible ) steals, in order
D.davis-grizzlies, zubac, diallo-pelicans, ullis-suns, mccaw-warriors, whitehead-nets, d.jackson-celtics
matt24 says
I think regarding the current lakers roster the big question mark is mosgov and how well he will perform, also without bass, is the bench gonna be able to hold up
lalaker14 says
wwlofficial Our perimeter defense will struggle defensively.
lalaker14 says
Zubac was a great pick-up. I can’t believe he was not taken in the first round.
KevTheBold says
Fantastic pick is Zubac, and I believe he will turn out to be one of the most surprising Laker picks in a long while.
I see Zubac, along with D’Angelo and Ingram, as having star potential.
Yes, Clarkson, Randle and Nance are also talented, yet I believe they will peak at essential, valuable role players.
As for A. Brown,.. I’m not that high on him. His defense is great, yes, but I see that as a product of his years in college, and age. A level of defense I feel our younger players will eventually attain with the right coaching.
A Horse With No Name says
wwlofficial
Broken record post #333: It is a mistake to box yourself in by thinking that neat descriptions of Deng as a stretch four, and Randle a more conventional four, and thus Randle doesn’t fit etc. because the system is built for position-less players. Randle and Deng will share time together as forwards, because they can shore up each other’s weaknesses. Randle will excel covering wings on the perimeter because of his lateral quickness, and Deng has the length and savvy to cover all but the biggest fours. On offense they both can play inside and outside, depending on situations and match ups.
denciox909 says
Its hard to see him getting playing time especially with Tarik Black getting that new 12.85mil contract. Unless the Lakers trade Black and one of their surplus of guards, playing time will be few and far between. He needs time in the NBA to develop as the backup Mozgov and not waste time in the D-League. Mitch, I hope you’re brewing up a trade of some sort.
bluehill says
A Horse With No Name wwlofficial Good point. As much as we would like players that excel equally at offense and defense at every position, those players are rare, so we need a roster that collectively can provide offense and defense at every position. What we do seem to have are a fairly versatile group of players at every position that can create matchup problems for other teams and provide flexibility in covering each others respective weaknesses.
It’s interesting to read the discussion around AB. We are worried
about the perimeter defense, but with AB the focus seems to be on his offense. I wish it was better (and I believe his offense will become serviceable), but seems like his defense is more valuable to this roster.
mattal says
I’ve been critical of the Deng signing. Part of it is, in my opinion, his age made him an odd fit for such a young team as the Lakers. Part of it is just my aversion to paying vets for the downside of their careers — especially if the upside years weren’t in a Lakers’ uniform. The four year deal guarantees we’ll get the downside of his career.
As a younger player he was definitely a top 5 SF. However, age and mileage have taken their toll and he’s not the same perimeter player anymore. During Thibs run he pushed Deng really hard, he averaged 38 + mins a game for 4 straight years.
I’m quoting an article from the local/Miami CBS reporter. It highlights the disparity in production when Dend was a SF and PF for the Heat last year.
___
“Losing Chris was a big blow for this team,” Heat guard Dwyane Wade said after Sunday’s 106-73 win to eliminate Charlotte in Game 7. “At the time we did, it hurt us. But the emergence of Luol Deng was, I think, the most important thing to salvage this season. I’ve got to give Lu a lot of credit. He wanted the opportunity, he got it and he did something with it.”
Deng slid into Bosh’s role as starting power forward, and the Heat have flourished. Before the All-Star break, the Heat were 26-20 when Deng played, the veteran shooting 43 percent and averaging 10.6 points and 4.7 rebounds.
Since the break, and including playoffs, the Heat are 23-12 with Deng in the lineup, as he’s shot 50 percent and averaged 15.9 points and 7.8 rebounds.
“I didn’t mind it,” Deng said of going to the power forward spot. “I knew that going (there) I would have some advantages. … As much as I can, I’m cutting, I’m setting screens, I’m slipping and I’m really doing whatever I can to make the other team react.”
mattal says
Horse — I know my comment below will elicit a response from you about the possibility of mitigating Deng’s weaknesses via positionless basketball. I didn’t add this thought in my in my comment and offer it up now.
I do agree that Walton will attempt, at least initially, to play Deng and Randle as simply forwards and let them match up defensively against the opposition in a way that best suits their skills. This approach also works, on paper, with Nance, who has the quickness to guard Threes as well.
However, my concern is that Randle and Nance never really guarded the Three last year (at least in my recollection) so we’d be asking them to play a new position defensively.
I hope that Deng is able to play the Three sufficiently so that it causes as little disruption to the youngsters as possible. I simply have my doubts that he can do so.
matt24 says
16 on your draft board and you get him at 32, wow
matt24 says
Ya, looks like tarik black will step into brandon bass role
A Horse With No Name says
Darius: Enjoyed your assessment of Zubac. Yes, his hands really stand out. There was one pass that was fired to Zubac from Ingram that had too much velocity on it given that Ingram was 10-12 feet away. Surprisingly, he snatched it up and finished with a basket; a catch and finish that said a lot about his hands but also his athleticism. The guy is very coordinated. The ability to catch, the touch on his jumpers and around the basket, his ability to sprint and finish the break while being challenged, his skillful shot blocking, all speak to this.
I don’t see this guy as a D league regular. Maybe some minutes here and there for conditioning, but he should be practicing with and against his teammates, and hopefully earning spot minutes.
He can definitely gain strength and quickness, and I expect that he will working in LA over the next three months.
The first center picked in the draft, Jacob Poetl, is a lighter, quicker player; able to show and switch. His ceiling is probably Steven Adams. As noted by many, Zubac’s ceiling is probably Marc Gasol. I’d say that if Zubac reaches that ceiling, he will be a more athletic Marc Gasol–that’s a pretty amazing get in the second round.
matt24 says
Alot of comments here on deng, i don’t know what the fear of him is,he is ultimately coming in to replace kobe, gotta love kobe, but, deng is not a ball stopper,a better defender, a better team player, but definitely not as dynamic, not a superstar, deng scores about 12 pts a game on like 10 shots, kobe scored 16 pts on 16 shots, is deng an upgrade we don’t know.
matt24 says
Imagine playing mosgov and zubac at the same time.
A Horse With No Name says
Head over to silverscreenandroll.com for a great compilation of usa select team pics and vines from today. Feeling psyched just watching the laker lads hitting shots . . . . Randle’s form on his 3 is picture perfect!
adamv37 says
Quick question: after “just” summer league who still thinks the Lakers should have taken Okafor over Russell?
Keeping in mind what we have seen from Russell so far and Zubac’s potential, I don’t think the front office could have done a better job to fill out the roster over the last 3 drafts. If the young guys develop to their full potential and management doesn’t mess anything up in contract negotiations or trades, the Lakers have a legit starting 5 and a 7 player rotation that can stick together for a long time. A lot of ifs but I’m pretty excited.
Mid Wilshire says
A Horse With No Name
Horse, good post.
Bear in mind that Marc Gasol was also a 2nd-round pick. In fact, he was the Lakers’ 2nd-round pick.
In my view, the Lakers’ FO is one of the more astute when it comes to drafting young talent — especially those who are in the #26 – #46 range. Clarkson, Nance, Jr., Zubac, and even M. Gasol, none of these was considered very highly when they Lakers first drafted them.
Great job by Mitch and the gang.
Still R says
Mid, agreed and in fact I was wondering why they haven’t acquired additional second round picks to utilize, and come to think of it, that’s exactly what they did in trading for Calderon. Hmmm!
smokedaddy says
To me, Zubac looks like another Mozgov. The 2015 version that is. Which is pretty good, actually really good at 19 years of age, considering Mozgov was 28. Both have really good size, have a nice touch from the perimeter and FT line, and are very good on the P&R. They both have nice post up moves, catch the ball really well per Darius, and most importantly are good rim protectors with good instincts and timing. They both move well both in the lane and in the open court with the exception of P & R defense. The difference is that Zubac is doing all of this at 19 and may still have more to grow and fill out as well as further improvements & refinements in his game. Not to mention is near the rookie minimum for the next 3 years. Neither, unlike the Gasols, seems to be an exceptional passer, at least not yet in the case of Z. My guess is that M & Z will be like interchangeable parts with very little adjustments to the offensive or defensive sets. Mozgov may start at 30 min/gm with Zubac at 10/game with Black going small for the remainder. But by years 3 & 4 of his contract, I’d expect Mozgov’s minutes to be giving way to Z, if injuries are not a factor, a big if.
matt24 says
Watching the zubac highlights reminds me of his first interviews where he snickered as if to say you people don’t even know how good i am, it’s like he knew he should’ve been drafted higher, he seemed unusually confident, and I think kupcheck knew also that’s way they didn’t pursue any known backup centers, I think them drafting zubac changed the whole thing, I’m not saying they could’ve gotten a better center in free agency, but they got mosgov then they signed tarik black then they left it open for zubac.
J C hoops says
Zubac, like Nance, is a testament to Lakers drafting very well with later picks. These two can be quality contributors on a competitive team. Zubac looked surprisingly good in SL.
I don’t see ‘positionless’ strategy as alleviating our basic issue: at the 4/5 positions, with Nance, Randle, Deng, Zubac, Mozgov and Black, we have a logjam.
Therefore I still contend Deng starts at 3 to open the season and Randle at 4. But we all want to see Ingram start eventually. So if he eventually starts as 3, that means Deng slides to the 4 and Randle comes off the bench.
More likely I believe, eventually, would be Ingram starting at the 2, Deng at the 3. But this means Clarkson comes off the bench.
Or–Randle gets moved, Ingram plays the 3 and Deng the 4, and Clarkson and Russell start in the backcourt.
Having more than 5 guys capable of starting: a good problem to have.
J C hoops says
Zubac, like Nance, is a testament to Lakers drafting very well with later picks. These two can be quality contributors on a competitive team. Zubac looked surprisingly good in SL.
I don’t see ‘positionless’ strategy as alleviating our basic issue: at the 4/5 positions, with Nance, Randle, Deng, Zubac, Mozgov and Black, we have a logjam.
Therefore I still contend Deng starts at 3 to open the season and Randle at 4. But we all want to see Ingram start eventually. So if he eventually starts as 3, that means Deng slides to the 4 and Randle comes off the bench.
More likely I believe, eventually, would be Ingram starting at the 2, Deng at the 3. But this means Clarkson comes off the bench.
Or–Randle gets moved, Ingram plays the 3 and Deng the 4, and Clarkson and Russell start in the backcourt.
Having more than 5 guys capable of starting: a good problem to have.
J C hoops says
One step further – lets say for arguments’ sake that the Lakers outplay some bottom feeders, Walton has everyone competing well and enjoying it – what if we won 40 games? Would that be enough for Jimmy and Mitch to keep their jobs?
I hope it would. It feels like the rebuild is in full swing and they deserve to see the fruits of their labor. Maybe we just had to hit bottom to start over.
Busboys4me says
It looks that but Bass is a far superior talent and does not sulk.
_Craig W says
J C hoops You don’t take into account the ‘Jim’ hate out there. The ‘talking heads’ (people I absolutely detest because of their spouting propaganda to get hits, rather than trying to think about what they are writing) turned against the Lakers because it got them attention and Laker fans frustrated that the Lakers were going into a rebuild – regardless what they tried, do not want him back.
I, too, think there were mistakes made – both those of commission and those of omission, but the Lakers learned to draft really well and set themselves up to take advantage of the part of the CBA giving the most benefit to clubs.
matt24 says
Jimmy should step down regardless, because 1. He doesn’t know what he’s doing 2. Fans don’t like him 3. Free agents are turned away because of him 4. So jeanie can shut up
spartla says
wwlofficial Very perceptive about Deng at the 4, but I think they would probably start Deng at the 3 and move him to the 4 as part of small-ball lineups. The Warriors always liked to soften up the other team with Bogut, and then hit them with the small lineup as a change of pace. The Lakers will probably try and start with Mozgov (or Zubac) and then shift Deng down to the 4 later for a small ball lineup. I think putting Nance at the 5, Deng at the 4, Ingram at the 3, Clarkson at the 2, and Russell at the 1 would be an option.
Moving up a position can take a heavy load on a player, as players like Battier has said in the past. For injury reasons they may not want to move him there full time.
Mr.G says
Nice very nice touch around the hood