The Clippers’ identity last season was built on defense, ranking among the NBA’s top five. Zubac was at the center of that success. Assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy helped craft game plans to slow opposing stars, but it was Zubac’s rim protection and ability to quarterback the defense that made those strategies work. The addition of Brook Lopez now gives LA what it lacked a year ago — an elite defensive big to back up Zubac. Together, they should form one of the league’s best rim-protecting tandems. From Prospect to Franchise Pillar Clippers fans know the franchise’s turbulent history at center. From DeAndre Jordan’s lob-finishing days to short-lived experiments with Marcin Gortat and Montrezl Harrell, finding long-term stability in the middle has been difficult. Zubac has broken that cycle. Like Jordan, he thrives in the fundamentals — rebounding, screening, and rim protection. But unlike his predecessors, he has the offensive polish and stamina to stay on the floor in crunch time. If he sustains this trajectory, Zubac could cement himself as the best center in franchise history. Looking Ahead Despite skepticism from critics who worry about the Clippers’ aging roster, Zubac believes the team’s summer moves addressed every weakness. “I think the team got much better than last year,” he said. “We got bigger, we got a backup center, we got a four, we got Bradley Beal, we got Chris Paul. I’m super excited to start the season and see what we can do.” The Clippers’ fate may ultimately rest on whether their veterans can stay healthy, but Zubac has already proven himself as the team’s most reliable pillar. His emergence has transformed LA’s frontcourt from a weakness into a strength, and his presence on the floor statistically makes the Clippers one of the league’s best teams. If he takes another step forward — perhaps into All-Star territory — the Clippers won’t just be chasing a top-three seed. They’ll be chasing a championship.