The Clippers cost-effective interior defensive pillar! Analyze Zubac s defensive details this season

Zubac is eye-catching this season. Not only does he play well in offense, but he is willing to work hard on defense. This season, averaging 16.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, ranking fourth in the league in rebounds per game. The rebounding rate of the backcourt is 27.1%, and the total rebounding rate of 19.9% is both ranked in the top 10. Not only did he grab the rebounds well, but he also had excellent defense. When Zubac defended Jokic, Embiid and Antetokounmpo, the average shooting percentage of these three MVP-level insiders dropped by 12.3%. When switching to the outside, the opponent's hit rate can be limited to 33%. Of course, he was selected to be in the second team of the NBA defensive team.

When he faces the forward or inside player, he can see that Wagner and AD both step back and blow the ball and shoot. Zubac can first maintain a good defensive position, wait for the attacker to make moves, and then block forward. Banchero made a change of direction. Zubac knew that he was tall and long, and he also kept in front of him. After disguised, he quickly stepped forward and tried to interfere with

This round was Wenbanyama who took the ball in the elbow area. At this time, Zubac was far away from him. He quickly stepped forward and stopped and fell down the center of gravity. Then he jumped again with Wenbanyama's shot. It is really not easy for Zubac to quickly step up and stop and control the center of gravity well. When someone is facing him, he will first stick to the offensive player and try to hold him back. Then jump out and block the shot straight up and down or interfere with Jackson who is faster than him. It is really not easy to assist the defense. When Zubac is present, the Clippers usually guard Zubac to retreat and do not easily hand over the switch to the opponent. Then at this time, Zubac's position and experience were tested. These two similar rounds, but the ball holder handles defense differently. Zubac can now do both left and right, and watch the abbot. Similarly, when he passes the ball, he quickly goes over to make up for defense. Also, when his teammates lose their position, he can quickly rush over to defend the penalty area, help his teammates first attack, then pass the ball, turn around and maintain the defensive position, and try to control his defensive movements, Jokic, is considered the number one center in the league today, but when he meets Zubac, he will also play very uncomfortable. Jokic talked about Clippers center Zubac: "He (Zubac) has a great defense, his defense is really excellent, and he even made me start to question my shot."

Due to limited space, I will not go into details.

Zubac's improvement in recent years, his defense is crucial to the Clippers' offensive and defensive system: he can not only suppress top inside players such as Jokic through single defense, but also support the lower limit of defense in terms of rebound protection and frame protection efficiency. Although Leonard is the Clippers' outside lock, Zubac is the invisible inside defensive gate.