Theoretically Ante Zizic

[Nathan S]

Fun fact: all of the top-5 centers in the NBA are European, according to Real Plus/Minus (Jokic, Vucevic, Gasol, Gobert, Nurkic). None were lottery picks.

 

[Muffinalt]

Fun fact: all of the top-5 centers in the NBA are European, according to Real Plus/Minus (Jokic, Vucevic, Gasol, Gobert, Nurkic). None were lottery picks.

If only we had a young, european center of our own who flashes good potential almost every time he steps on the court...

 

[Cavatt]

He starts in Europe over Zubac who was productive against GS last night. Their games are not the same but similar.

Zubac also had trouble with consistency. Gotta get Zizic minutes so he can get up to NBA speed .

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Zubac also had trouble with consistency. Gotta get Zizic minutes so he can get up to NBA speed .

I think Drew's logic is that Zizic will get the minutes necessary to develop consistency, but he first must prove that he can contribute consistently.

 

[bigfoot5415]

If only we had a young, european center of our own who flashes good potential almost every time he steps on the court...

Didnt we have a sad rating here at one point?

Christ that is depressing.

 

[dartandbeer]

cant wait for henson to take his spot

 

[Dshuks]

I don't really think he was that bad, none of our bigs could score tonight (Larry was 2/8 same as Ante, and Channing was 2/9), and Ante rebounded the ball really well (11 in 21 minutes, 2 more than Larry with 9 fewer minutes) and played decent defense. He led that team in +/- as well (+1).

 

[inliner311]

I don't really think he was that bad, none of our bigs could score tonight (Larry was 2/8 same as Ante, and Channing was 2/9), and Ante rebounded the ball really well (11 in 21 minutes, 2 more than Larry with 9 fewer minutes) and played decent defense. He led that team in +/- as well (+1).

Alot of times, guys are getting him the ball way too low. I just don't think he has the flexibility to really catch a ball below his knees.

I think his game is sealing guys off deep in the lane in transition. I also think he can get the ball up high where he doesn't need to jump and he can just set the ball in.

 

[Cavatt]

I don't really think he was that bad, none of our bigs could score tonight (Larry was 2/8 same as Ante, and Channing was 2/9), and Ante rebounded the ball really well (11 in 21 minutes, 2 more than Larry with 9 fewer minutes) and played decent defense. He led that team in +/- as well (+1).

Who had a good night? No one. 11 rebounds in 22 minutes rules.

Also people complained about the bounce passes at his shins he lost. Those were bad passes.

 

[Pioneer10]

He's no Zubac

 

[Cavatt]

He's no Zubac

Just FYI, they are the same age, but the reason Zubac has more NBA minutes is he came over a year early because he lost his starting spot to Zizic. Zizic tore up Europe at 19.

Zizic IMO needs to get stronger and get up to NBA speed, and then you have a very good player.

 

[bigking777]

Alot of times, guys are getting him the ball way too low. I just don't think he has the flexibility to really catch a ball below his knees.

I think his game is sealing guys off deep in the lane in transition. I also think he can get the ball up high where he doesn't need to jump and he can just set the ball in.

Exactly, inliner.
I was screaming at the TV as Zizic had perfect position toward the hoop with his man sealed on his back. Sexton wouldn't make the inlet pass for an easy shot or foul.

 

[Dr. Claw]

Exactly, inliner.
I was screaming at the TV as Zizic had perfect position toward the hoop with his man sealed on his back. Sexton wouldn't make the inlet pass for an easy shot or foul.

Sexton wasn't alone in that regard. Delly kept trying to give him the ball low and he couldn't scoop it up, so it was a guaranteed turnover. That particular limitation might be a liability unless the team adjusts to what they know he does well.

Last night was a weird one for Delly. He made some entertaining passes, but it seemed like he was throwing the ball around as if he were mad against the Memphis defense.

 

[buzzdog]

Zizic seems to be a little weak on his grip of the ball. He seems to get stripped a lot, and he doesn't often snag rebounds with authority. He does do a lot of rebounds where he just tips the ball to a teammate.

That's definitely an area where he can improve but for the time being he needs to be fed more in his comfort zone, which is NOT anywhere below the knees.

 

[Pioneer10]

Just FYI, they are the same age, but the reason Zubac has more NBA minutes is he came over a year early because he lost his starting spot to Zizic. Zizic tore up Europe at 19.

Zizic IMO needs to get stronger and get up to NBA speed, and then you have a very good player.

I agree about the strength - Biggest difference between the two is Zubac is bigger and their mobility is about the same. You can see it a bit in how they try to finish Zubac tends to go for the dunk while Zizic has more of that Joker flip shot in his repertoire. Really impressed with what Zubac has been able to do after he was put in the starting lineup but in large part that may be due to the Lakers playing with a good center already. It's like plug and play for them between Zubac, Chandler, and McGee. They do a nice job with the PnR getting their center rolling to the basket or matched up and then pin down a smaller dude.

However, size is a big deal here and I think Zubac has at least 2 inches on Zizic which makes it easier for the Lakers to find him and hit the glass. Don't really know much about the Euro game but if Zizic is a better primary playmaker in Euro it might not translate to the NBA as well vs a center who can play well off others. (Obviously the Joker is in a different category as he's an elite passer)