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Ex-Knicks, Grizzlies Star Makes Bold Statement On Clippers' Ivica Zubac

Two-time NBA All-Star Zach Randolph had some high praise for the Clippers' center Ivica Zubac
Grant Mona|
Apr 13, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) and guard Stephen Curry (30) vie for position against LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
Apr 13, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) and guard Stephen Curry (30) vie for position against LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images | Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles ClippersMemphis Grizzlies

The modern game of basketball is predicated on scoring, perimeter play, and athletic defense. When Warriors superstar Steph Curry revolutionized the game with the three-point shot, teams began to shift their focus beyond the arc.

Some good players' games were phased out because the mid-range game was considered archaic and a thing of the past, while others earned multiple contracts because of the need for shooting.

Shaquille O'Neal and Zach Randolph both embodied the traditional power forward or center archetype. O'Neal made a Hall of Fame career out of being a dominant low-post presence for years and Randolph's simple, but physical back-to-the-basket approach earned him two All-Star appearances and an All-NBA Third Team in 2011.

Ivica Zubac's style of play mimics what most centers played like in the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s. He averaged 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in 80 games played, while also averaging 1.1 blocks per game on the other side of the basketball.

Zubac was incredibly efficient as all traditional big men should be, averaging 62.8% from the field. On Shaquille O'Neal's podcast, "The Big Podcast," he and former Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph discussed which players could play in the old era of the NBA.

"So who's a big man you watch now today and think 'they could've played with us.' I get a lot of flak but that's how I judge players - if they could play with us," O'Neal asked Randolph.

"I like Zubac. I think Zubac could've bumped with us back then," Randolph answered.

That is high praise coming from one of the best low-post scorers of the past 20 years. Zubac finished the regular season with a 15-game double-double streak, recording his first career triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Rockets.

He earned Second Team All-Defensive Team honors and was a candidate for Most Improved Player in the 2024-2025 season.

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Grant Mona
GRANT MONA

Grant Mona is a multimedia sports journalist based in Los Angeles, covering multiple teams. He is a co-host and producer on The Sporting Tribune Today on The BET Las Vegas, KIRN 670 in Southern California and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network. He formerly played baseball with the University of the Pacific Tigers.

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