The Clippers officially became the NBA s "care home", but their second most important player is only 28 years old!

The Los Angeles Clippers lineup in the new season can be called the "Hale of Experience". Including Chris Paul, there are eight players in the team who are over 2008, four of whom are 35 years old. As a legendary point guard who is about to embark on the 21st season, although Paul has outstanding football business and profound experience, it is really doubtful whether he can maintain a good state in high-intensity NBA confrontation, as he is in his forties. With Brooke Lopez (37), Nicholas Batum (37), James Harden (36), Kawhi Leonard (34), Boyan Bogdanovic (33), Bradley Bill (32) and Chris Dunn (31), their age seems to have turned into a hidden worry on the team's journey.

Just as everyone's eyes were fixed on the issue of "aging" of the Clippers, reporter Shane Young's view was like a stone thrown into the quiet lake, causing turmoil. He said bluntly: "It's interesting to see everyone discussing the age of the Clippers members, but Ignoring the second core of their team - the MVP winner in the team last season - was only 28 years old and in the golden period of his career." Who is this player who is highly anticipated? The answer is revealed: Ivica Zubac.

Zubac was born in Croatia on March 18, 1997. He has a tall and straight figure of 213 cm. It looks like an unshakable tower on the field. His professional journey began with Croatian league team Hibernar. In the 2016 NBA Draft, he was picked by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round with the 32nd pick and embarked on the NBA journey. In the early days of the Lakers, Zubac had a rough situation and frequently traveled between the NBA and the Development League, with few playing time. However, he never gave up and continued to improve his skills.

In 2019, fate came and Zubac was traded to the same city Los Angeles Clippers. Here, he ushered in a turning point in his career and quickly settled in the starting center position. Since then, his performance has become increasingly dazzling and has gradually transformed into an indispensable cornerstone for the team. In the 2024-25 season, Zubac shone with a stunning light. He played 80 games in the regular season, averaged 32.8 minutes per game, and contributed 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists steadily, with a shooting percentage of up to 62.8%, and a true shooting percentage of up to 64.1%. Score, rebounds and assists all hit career peaks, and their rebounds ranked fourth in the league. After the All-Star Game, Zubac was in a more divine form. In 19 games, he averaged 19.6 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, and his shooting percentage jumped to 65.5%. Such performances are comparable to the league's top superstars.

Zubac's offensive methods are becoming increasingly rich and diverse. Not only can he effectively complete the "eating cake", he also improves his skills in hosting balls and scores skillfully with small hooks, and his passing ability has also been significantly improved. In the final season against the Rockets, he scored 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, achieving his first triple-double in his career, showing his all-round skills. Data evidence: When Zubac is in the field, the Clippers can score 116.5 points in a hundred rounds, lose only 107.1 points, and surpass their opponents by 9.4 points. Their influence is unquestionable. With such outstanding performance, Zubac was successfully selected as the second team of the NBA's best defensive team in the 2024-25 season, which is undoubtedly the highest award for his defensive value and struggle.

Therefore, when the outside world is worried about the Clippers' age structure, Zubac is the beacon of hope that illuminates the team's future. At the age of 28, he is at the peak of his sports career, and his physical functions, technical level and field wisdom are in a perfect balance. He is like a rising star, releasing the most dazzling light under the sky of the Clippers. The experience of veterans such as Paul is precious, and they can stabilize the morale of the army and make decisions at critical moments. However, basketball is a sport of youth after all. Zubac's vigorous vitality and huge potential will surely inject inexhaustible momentum into the Clippers.

The Clippers introduced Paul, perhaps because they were attracted by the perfect integration of his old wisdom and the vitality of young cores such as Zubac. Paul can carefully guide Zubac on and off the court to help him grow, while using his exquisite passes to create more scoring opportunities for Zubac. Zubac, while he was able to resolutely shoulder the burden of offense and defense in the interior when Paul was physically limited, providing solid guarantees for the team.

In the new season journey, can the Clippers break the age shackles and successfully break through in the Wild West? Can Zubac continue his courage last season and lead the team to a new peak? The answer is still unknown. But it is certain that the Clippers should not be underestimated by having a core center like Zubac at his peak. Under the interweaving of veteran wisdom and youthful vitality, they are indeed able to write their own brilliant chapters. Let us look forward to what kind of excitement the Clippers will bring in the new season!