Zubac opts to play bully-ball versus the Spurs center.
SAN ANTONIO — Facing San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is no easy task for any opposing player.
With his height (7-4), agility, wingspan, speed, basketball IQ, and ability to play outside the paint and inside on either side of the floor, Wemby makes life difficult for any defender brave enough to challenge him.
That was the case for Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, who had the unenviable task of matching up against the Spurs center.
“He’s just so tall and has the longest wingspan I’ve ever seen,” he said.
That sentiment is likely shared with many throughout the league.
Whether a guard or a big man is battling him in the paint, Wemby wreaks havoc no matter how crafty one might be trying to avoid him while trying to score a bucket.
“He’s going to block everything if you try to float him or hook him,” the Clippers big man added.
On Monday night, against Wemby, Zubac opted not to try to out-finesse Wemby during their on-court battle. Instead, he bullied him in the paint, driving his mass into him, and on one play, it worked.
Zubac powered over Wemby for the dunk getting the Clipper fans up and out of their seats.
“I learned today that is the only thing you can do against him in the paint. You have to hit the body and try to go dunk everything,” he said.
As much as that one play may have gotten the best of Wembanyama, the French big man did win the individual matchup versus Zubac despite the Spurs losing in Los Angeles.
Wemby finished with a near-triple-double with nine blocks, 24 points and 13 rebounds. Zubac ended the night with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Getting physical against Wemby is likely not too shocking to hear. He is still slight of frame, and despite adding some muscle, it might not be enough to handle the league brutes in the paint like Zubac.
But the Clippers big man and the rest of the NBA’s bigs might have to enjoy this early approach at playing Wemby.
He’s still young (20 years old) and still has much time to add to his frame and turn the tables on those who believe that playing bully ball versus him is the only way to even the odds.
“You just have to try to go through his chest,” said Zubac.
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