Comments on: Serge Ibaka and Ivica Zubac Are Improving for Clippers

By: ksihoo

ksihoo — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 21:01:42 +0000

Like your observations Cole.

Many times as fans we are too impatient with new adjustments. We would just like to see people coming and everything clicking right away.

The whole last season was like that. People expected that we will just run seamlessly to the title right after Kawhi and PG joined. Sometimes we even forget that key pieces like Morris and (to some extend key) Reggie joined late in the season.

Building a championship chemistry takes time and it’s a long process. Some things are not gonna work and then you need to make adjustments for another attemp. I don’t recall many teams forming like that and winning a title in year 1 (maybe Boston in 2008 being the exception)

The FO realized what didn’t work last year and replaced Doc, Harrell and needed to pay the price of keeping Morris by letting JaMychal Green go. They replaced them with Lue, Ibaka and found a hidden gem in Batum. Also replaced Shamet with Kennard

With all the changes, there many adjustmens that need time. Lue to implement new system. New coaching staff with new roles. Ibaka and Batum to get familiar with new teammates and plays. Zu and Morris to adjust to bench roles. Lou Williams to find place in a role he has never done before. Kennard to become confident when expectations are so high.

There are no guarantees that all adjustment are gonna work at some point and some probably never will. Even when you feel that things are finally clicking (like our play last February/March) the unexpected can happen (injuries, pandemic) and everything can fall apart in a moment.

But controlling what can be controlled, we should give this team and individual players time to find their grooves. So far the results have been very promising and like our chances much more now.

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 20:29:19 +0000

Zu is good at being big. He’ll get a rim-running dunk here and there and block a shot on occasion but he’s otherwise not an intimidating presence. Serge has been a MAJOR cog in the metamorphosis of our offense which simply can’t be understated. Zu will be helpful against ogres like Gobert and Embiid but ideally we need a third big that brings some nastiness and physicality inside. There will be opportunities out there starting saturday.

By: TheGreatestShowman

TheGreatestShowman — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:42:59 +0000

Yeah, I feel he’s only good with a quick hitter in the post like when he does the 180 hook shot off a pass. Pounding the rock and then shooting usually leads to a miss.

By: Cole Huff

Cole Huff — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:41:53 +0000

I think Serge has been fine the last couple of weeks. He’s taking and making more jumpers, which really makes things hard for the defense and easier for our scorers.

The problem he runs into is trying to score on post iso’s — he’s really not that kind of player.

By: chogokin

chogokin — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:26:10 +0000

Zu did play w/ the starters against Indiana (Serge was inactive), but Zu didn’t make too much of an impression (everybody else did the heavy lifting).

By: Greek_Clippers_Fan

Greek_Clippers_Fan — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:17:39 +0000

Zu has definitely improved, particularly the rebounding.

I find Ibaka’s performance varying greatly.

Good averages but he needs to be great in a game that is on the balance (against the Nets for example).

He shouldn’t try to force offence on nights that the hasn’t got it.

Will we ever see Zu with the starters? Even as a temporary experiment?