Los Angeles Lakers: Three surprises that will happen this season
By Jason Reed
1. Ivica Zubac will play at a starting caliber
The biggest weakness the Los Angeles Lakers have heading into the season is at the center position. Luckily for the Lakers, with today’s style of play, being thin at the center position is perhaps the best position to be thin at.
The front office probably recognized this as the team is banking on JaVale McGee and Ivica Zubac as the team’s only two true centers. Los Angeles also has the likes of Moritz Wagner, Kyle Kuzma, Michael Beasley and even LeBron James that can play center in smaller lineups.
The Lakers are likely going to present many different looks at the center position based on matchups this year. There will be one constant in a shifting landscape at center and that will be Ivica Zubac.
Not many people are high on Zubac as a quality piece off the bench and the third-year center had little to no role on the Lakers last season. However, in his rookie year, Zubac made the most of his limited playing time and showed that with 20 or so minutes per game he could truly be productive for the Lakers.
He has the size to be a great rebounder and only needs to work on his frame and strength. He will naturally grow into the position and he has already put on some mass since being drafted.
The Lakers do not need Zubac to be a big scoring piece, all the team needs is a center that can rebound the ball and provide rim protection. Zubac is going to be great in those departments this season and will be the team’s starting center by the turn of the calendar.