Ivica Zubac delivers standout performance, shares enthusiasm for the upcoming season

After a subpar performance in their last outing against the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac did not take long to bounce back, putting up a double-double performance against the Dallas Mavericks in the team’s first game at the high-tech Intuit Dome.

Posting 11 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals, “Big Zu” showcased how ready he is to embrace a more significant role on this Clippers squad and expressed excitement for the season ahead.

Intuit Dome came alive

After playing second fiddle to the L.A. Lakers, sharing the latter’s home arena for so many years, the Clippers now have one to call their own. It finally came to life on Monday night, with Zubac lauding the home crowd for making their presence felt throughout the game.

“It was great, man. The arena is amazing. All the stuff that comes with it is great. The fans were—they were loud. I can't wait for the season to start so the arena is packed, and, you know, we got the full experience. Preseason game, but fans were loud the whole game. They were—they were screaming, they were chanting, so it’s really great,” the 7-footer exclaimed after the game.

Getting into game shape

For the first time in this preseason, the starters got to run in the second half as head coach Ty Lue tries to get his players acclimated to playing in the regular season. He added that he also enjoyed being the recipient of James Harden’s nifty passes, which led to easy points.

“James always looking for me, just looking for everyone, always making the right play a little bit in the second half too. You know, got to get in that game shape, and you know, we take it day by day,” Zu stated. “But I like, I like our energy, our effort on—especially on the defensive end, and that's leading to a lot of fastbreak points. We're advancing the ball quick, we're playing fast, it's really fun.”

It remains to be seen if Lue will let any of his starters play in the Clippers’ final preseason match against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.

Related: The LA Clippers inaugurated the Intuit Dome with a preseason victory over the Dallas Mavericks