US media: Zubac becomes the mainstay of the Clippers His rise saves the team s inside line

Recently, US media LAFB Network talked about Zubac, believing that he is the mainstay of the team next season. The following is some of the content.

The Los Angeles Clippers entered the 2025-26 season with their deepest lineup and a new sense of urgency in recent years. Despite 50 wins last season and being eliminated in the first round, the Clippers brought in Bradley Bill, Chris Paul, John Collins and Brooke Lopez in the offseason to complement Leonard, Harden and Zubac's main lineup.

Although the addition of these star players is eye-catching, Zubac is the key to the success of the Clippers.

Why is Zubac so important to the Clippers? According to statistics, when Zubac was on the court last season, the Clippers' net winning points per 100 rounds increased by 14.5 points - the third highest among players in the league who played at least 1,000 minutes, behind Nikola Jokic and Dorian Finney Smith. Although Leonard's influence is also very significant, Zubac's ability to rank among the top in this statistical field highlights his irreplaceability. In short, it's hard for the Clippers to control the game when Zubac is not on the court.

Last season was Zubac's breakthrough year. He averaged 32.8 minutes per game in 80 games, setting a career high and reached his personal best in all statistics: 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. His physical fitness and skilled hook shots provide the Clippers with a reliable inside scoring option, and his rim protection also earned him the honor of the best defensive second team of the year. He ranked second in the fastest-progress player vote and sixth in the defensive player of the year vote, Zubac has got rid of the label of role players and is now regarded as one of the top starting centers in the NBA.

The Clippers' results last season were built on defense and ranked in the top five in the league, and Zubac played a central role in this success. Assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy has developed a game plan for opponents’ stars, but it is Zubac’s ability to protect the rim and direct the defense that makes these strategies work.

Brook Lopez's joining provides the Clippers with an elite substitute center that was lacking last year. The two teamed up should be one of the best rim protection combos in the league.

Clippers fans are well aware of the team's turbulent history in the center position. From DeAndre Jordan's all-dunk era to Gott and Harrell's brief experiments, finding a long-term stable center has been a difficult problem. Zubac breaks the cycle.

Although critics have expressed doubts about the Clippers' aging roster, Zubac believes the team's signings in the summer solved all weaknesses. "I think the team is stronger than last year," he said. "We're getting taller, with a substitute center, with a four, and Bradley Bill and Chris Paul. I'm very excited about the new season and want to see what we can do." The fate of the Clippers may ultimately depend on whether their veterans can stay healthy, but Zubac has proven himself the most reliable pillar of the team. His rise turned the Clippers' frontcourt from a weakness to an advantage, and his performance on the court made the Clippers one of the best teams in the league. If he goes further—even into the All-Star ranks—the Clippers will not only chase the top three seeds, but also the championship.