Ivica Zubac just wrapped up the best season of his NBA career — one where he broke personal records, logged heavy minutes, and held his own against the league's elite bigs. The Los Angeles Clippers ' center finished second in Most Improved Player voting, came in sixth in Defensive Player of the Year and quietly led the entire NBA in both total offensive and defensive rebounds, all while averaging career-best 16.8 points on an elite efficiency.
In an exclusive conversation with Basketball Network, "Big Zu" opened up about the team's underdog mentality coming into the season, playing alongside James Harden and going toe-to-toe with Nikola Jokic , whom he believes is the best player in the Association.
Oh, and he let us in on a not-so-secret truth — Lakers fans still haven't forgiven their front office for letting him go so easily.
Q: At the start of the season, many people had the Clippers as a play-in team at best. Paul George was gone in the offseason, Kawhi Leonard 's availability was uncertain, and James Harden's MVP days seemed behind him. From the inside, how did you guys experience that perception? Did you feel underrated?
Absolutely. I mean, come on, everyone sees social media, everyone knows the narrative around us. We saw how many projected wins they gave us. We were aware of it. People overlooked us, no doubt about that. It was definitely a motivation for us. We knew we could be a good team based on our roster and the players we had.
However, we didn't expect Kawhi to miss that many games early on — we thought he'd be back sooner.
But from day one of training camp, we built a defense-first mentality. We knew we had to be aggressive on defense and become one of the best defensive teams if we wanted a shot at the playoffs. That mindset carried us. On top of that, we had the extra motivation of being underestimated by pretty much everyone. And deep down, we knew we had more talent and quality than people gave us credit for.
Everything clicked, and in the end, the regular season turned out to be a success — 50 wins. Not many people saw that coming, especially considering Kawhi missed around 40 games. So yeah, I'd say the regular season was a success.
Q: It was indeed a success, both for the team and for you personally. This is now your second season playing alongside Harden — what's it like playing with a player of that caliber, and how has he made your job on the court easier? Especially with those pick-and-rolls that you worked to perfection.
A lot. I've never had a point guard who's so pass-first. I mean, Harden is more known as a scorer, but at this stage of his career, he's really focused on being a playmaker — getting everyone involved and making things easier for the whole team.
From day one, when he joined us, he'd pull me aside and say, "Come on, let's go do 20 minutes of pick-and-roll against the coaches, just 2-on-2. " They'd switch up coverages — sometimes trap, sometimes hedge, drop, or switch. We'd read the defense and play against it. And we did that every day for 15–20 minutes. You could see the results in the games — we had answers for any kind of defense thrown at us. We were ready for everything.
Beyond just the pick-and-roll, he knows exactly where I like to get the ball — which side of the post, that pocket pass — he finds me there. He watches a lot of film, and he knows every guy's preferences: where they like to get the ball, what kinds of shots they're comfortable with, which defenses they excel against. That's what he brings us more than anything. That might be his most valuable trait. He's incredibly smart, understands what works for each player, and tries to simplify the game for everyone around him.
Q: At first glance, he might come off as nonchalant, but whenever someone talks about Harden, it's nothing but flowers for the former MVP.
Yeah, yeah, before he joined us, there was a lot of talk that he wasn't a hard worker, that he was a bad teammate — but it's actually the complete opposite. I can't believe that's what people were saying. He's the total opposite. A hard worker, one of the best teammates I've ever had, and it's a joy to play with him and share a locker room.
Q: This season was the first time you played over 30 minutes per game (32.8). Was that mainly due to injuries and a lack of available players, or did Ty Lue and his coaching staff let you know before the season that it was going to be that way?
They had already signaled that back in last year's playoffs, when I started playing over 30 minutes and the offense began running through me more. For the first time, they really went to me in the post, and that's when it became clear my role would grow. After the season ended, the GM, the team president, and Ty Lue all told me the same thing — that I'd have a bigger role, that I should prepare for it and be ready.
And when we didn't re-sign Paul George, it really opened up opportunities for other guys to step up. I mean, you have to make up for the 25 points he was putting up, and that gave the rest of us more shots, more responsibility. I knew going into the summer that the situation would be like that. So I prepared accordingly — I worked all summer on my post game, knowing I'd be getting a lot of touches down low, and I focused a lot on conditioning and strength training because I knew I'd be playing a lot more minutes than in previous years.
Q: At what point, when you entered this season with the expectation of stepping into somewhat of a leadership role, did you realize you were having the best season of your career — not just a very good stretch — but that you were actually one of the most consistent and best centers in the league?
From the very first game, I could feel things were going to be different — that I'd be getting more touches. I opened the season with three straight 20-point games, and that was the first time in my life I started a season like that. That's when I realized things had shifted, that I was going to have more opportunities.
I understood that with those minutes and that many low-post touches, plus more shot attempts, I had to fully commit to recovery and strength to survive the entire season. I really focused on that. You go through stretches where you're so exhausted you don't even care who you're playing against or what's going on—you just want to finish the game.
So, I felt early on that it was going to be different after those first three games, and from that point, I completely changed my mentality and some of my habits to adapt and handle the pace.
Q: It was clear from the start, and by the end, in a way, that recognition came too. You finished second in the Most Improved Player race, sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and there was even talk about your first All-Star nod.
Yeah, I hoped I would win it (MIP). After the All-Star break, when I got that week off, I caught a bit of a second wind. I felt better physically, and that's when I was able to take another step and elevate my game to a new level.
Q: Just like the entire Clippers team, it felt like you guys shifted into a higher gear after the All-Star break and started building momentum for the playoffs.
Yeah, in those last 20 to 25 games, we really looked good. It could've ended better, but hey... that's how it goes sometimes.
Q: At the trade deadline Bogdan Bogdanovic came in — one of the guys from the same region as you, from the Balkans. On social media, it looked like you two really clicked. What was the dynamic like when he arrived?
Bogi was great for us. As soon as the trade happened, he messaged me on Instagram, like, "Send me your number." He reached out right away. When he got to L.A., we went out for a drink immediately… We didn't really know each other that well before; we weren't close or anything, but we slowly became really good friends. We hang out every day — sometimes at his place, sometimes at mine. On the road, we were always together, going to restaurants, spending time — we really did spend a lot of time together.
And we had good chemistry on the court, too, even though we had never played together before. We understood each other's game well. The Clippers didn't just use him as a shooter — he handled the ball a lot in pick-and-rolls, and that's where we really clicked. It felt like we had been playing together forever.
He gave me a lot of confidence, and I think I did the same for him. It's tough when you're the only guy from your part of the world, surrounded by all foreigners, without someone who speaks your language. It's just different when you can sit on the bench with someone, vent in your own language, and get real feedback from someone who gets it. He helped me a lot, and I'm sure it was good for him too. I'd really love for that to continue.
He's a great guy, and the vibe around the team really lifted when he arrived — he was truly great for us. I hope we can keep that going next year as well.
Q: He definitely brought a lot to the team, and for you personally… I mean, he "gave you" your first career triple-double against Houston . What was that feeling like? Was it planned for him to finish the play with that shot?
We were up by a lot, I already had nine assists, and there were about two minutes left when Ty Lue wanted to sub me out. And that's when I told him, me and whole bench stood up, "Let him get the triple-double."
Normally, he doesn't like doing that. Earlier this season, against the Lakers, he benched me when I had 21 points and 19 rebounds. I asked him if I could stay to get one more rebound, but he didn't want to, so he gave me this one as a reward.
We ran a play for me to post up because they were double-teaming me, so I could kick the ball out to someone and get an assist. But the Rockets threw the ball away, it went out of bounds, and I told Bogi, "Bogi, I'll give you the ball, just shoot it no matter what, try to score, but just shoot it..."
We had players on the court who don't usually play. They were cold since they just came in. I said, "I'm giving you the ball, just shoot and see what happens."
He set a screen for me so I could grab the ball out of bounds and then came back. I handed him the ball, he rose up over the defense, everyone knew he was going to shoot — it was a really tough shot. The ball spun around the rim and somehow went in. I was really happy. I never expected to get a triple-double, but I'm really glad I did, and that last assist was for him. He made that shot. I even have the game ball engraved... One of the best moments of this season for sure.
Q: There's one player who normalized the triple-double from the center position. Let's touch on that bitter part of the season — what was it like playing a seven-game series against Nikola Jokic ? Knowing everything would go through him, how hard was that night after night?
It's tough. Especially when you're playing 35-40 minutes in the playoffs, when the game slows down, and most of the game is half-court basketball instead of transition. You know everything's going to go through him even more than usual, and that's seven games. Honestly, it was really hard. In my opinion, he's the best player in the league, and every possession, every defensive play, you have to give 100%.
He's very strong, so it's physically demanding. You go through defensive challenges that no other center usually faces. He handles the ball in pick-and-rolls, they set pindowns for him, flare screens, he plays in the post, works from the elbow, and even 1-on-1 from the free-throw line. You really face a million things that centers normally don't have to deal with.
You have to completely change your mindset and philosophy about how you defend as a center, just to try to contain him. So it's both physically and mentally very demanding. You can't relax for a second, you always have to think ahead. You know every play, you know what's coming, and you have to be ready for everything. It's really tough.
Q: So, he's definitely the hardest player for you to guard?
Yeah, definitely... As a center, yes. I don't count guards because I don't usually switch onto them — that's a different story — but as a center, he's definitely the hardest to defend. Because he really puts you through things you don't face against anyone else. The defensive rules against him are completely different.
Q: That series against the Nuggets was a war. What do you feel was the deciding factor in those series? Was it the Aaron Gordon 's put back dunk?
Well, I think that's it. We were up 2-1, and I think that game was the turning point because we really started that game poorly. After the third game, there was a lot in the media, their players said they were injured and having problems, and that's when we saw we had to come out strong because they looked ready to give up...
They took a 22-point lead, but we came back. If the game had lasted maybe a minute longer, I think we would have definitely won, but unfortunately, a fraction of a second kept us from overtime. When they won that game, it gave them confidence, a boost of momentum, and everything changed.
It's a shame — that was our best chance in Game 4 to break the series.
Q: Where do you place Jokic on the all-time list of players and centers?
Hmm, it's hard to say. I've never played against those other guys we usually count among the top 5 centers — like Shaq, Hakeem, Kareem... Considering everything Jokic has achieved — a championship, three MVPs, Finals MVP, so many All-Star appearances, First Team, All-NBA selections — I think he's definitely in the top 5 centers, maybe even higher.
I wouldn't dare rank him among the greatest players ever just yet, because he's still in his prime, has a lot of basketball left to play, and will win many more awards and honors. So maybe I'll be ready to do that at the end of his career. But for sure, he's already top 5 among centers.
Q: Since we're on the topic of individual awards, who do you think will win the MVP — Shai or Jokic?
I think Shai will take it this year, but I'd vote for Jokic. I believe Jokic had the better individual season, though Shai is really an excellent player. I played with him during his first year with the Clippers, so I'd be happy for him if he wins, but individually, I think Jokic had the stronger season.
Who votes, I don't know how that will go… The whole season, there's been talk about Shai. It wouldn't be wrong if either of them wins — both deserve it. I'd definitely give my vote to Jokic. We'll see, but I think in the end it'll be Shai.
Q: Since we're talking about those first years with the Clippers, do you think the Lakers regret giving up a center like you? Because it seems like you are exactly the type of player they're missing right now.
I know the fans definitely regret it... Every day when I go out, at least once a day, I hear about that trade and Mike Muscala ... This is Lakers city and most people here are Lakers fans, so I hear about that trade every day. How they wish I was still on the team, how I'd be perfect for them now since they don't have a center.
But for me, it worked out well. Back then, I didn't play much there, I didn't have much of a role, and then I got a much bigger role — I was a starter from the start with the Clippers. So in the end, it turned out great for me. Whether the club regrets it now, I don't know, but I do know the fans do.
Q: Hardly anyone predicted this kind of playoff scenario in the NBA, but now that only four teams remain, who do you see as the winner?
From the regular season, I really liked Indiana . The way they played, and they actually beat us both times we played this year — they're a really good team and well put together. I'm not sure if it's enough to win it all though...
The Knicks are good, too. They're a typical playoff team that relies on 6-7 key players — veteran playoff guys with experience. Then you have Oklahoma, which dominated most of the regular season, but Denver pushed them to seven games, so they're not unbeatable.
Minnesota — I'd give them the least chance. But I don't know, I think this is the year everything has opened up for Oklahoma. They were like Boston or Cleveland during the season, out of the playoffs, and now their path to the title seems open. We'll see how they hold up after that seven-game series against the Nuggets. They're in rhythm, and that matters.
If I had to pick, I'd put my money on Oklahoma. But I wouldn't be surprised if any of these teams won, and there's a reason for that. There really isn't a clear favorite.
Zubac's growth—both as a player and a leader—was one of the brightest storylines in a Clippers season full of twists and overachievement, but unfortunately, it ended in heartbreak.
While individual accolades came just so close, it's clear his eyes are still locked on bigger goals. And if he keeps trending this way, there's no doubt he'll get there — we'll be watching.
