The Los Angeles Clippers have unlocked the best in James Harden once again, with the point guard leading them to the Playoffs in a year many predicted they would fail. He’s helping the likes of Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac have the best year of their careers, although Zubac’s success isn’t surprising.
Harden thrived alongside center Clint Capela on the Houston Rockets, with Capela having the best seasons of his career alongside James. However, his former point guard wound up using him as an example of a lesser-skilled big man while praising Zubac after their recent 135-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
“Yeah. It’s only been almost two years. What I did with Clint, it was 5-6 years. And Zu is way more skilled offensively than Clint. The understanding of knowing what to do, each possession, whether it’s a switch or it’s a pick-and-roll.”
James Harden was asked if there are more levels he and Ivica Zubac can get to as a duo.
“Yeah. It’s only been almost two years. What I did with Clint, it was 5-6 years. And Zu is way more skilled offensively than Clint… He caught a lob today, but that’s not even like — I’m… pic.twitter.com/bkFtNVSt8A
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) April 6, 2025
After moving on from the stray on Capela, Harden impressed upon the positive qualities of Zubac and their chemistry.
“On one play I remember, I came off the pick-and-roll, I snaked it. I don’t know, AD ended up on me. He (Zubac) had a small on him. He was ducking there for two seconds, and then I looked at him, and he cleared the paint and ducked right back in. I threw him the ball, and he got an and-one. That’s chemistry.”
“Next year is gonna be even better. I’m just happy in knowing the work he’s put in and the understanding we have with each other.”
“He caught a lob today, but that’s not even like — I’m getting to the rim, and it’s not even a lob. If he was able to jump even a little bit higher, he’d have 10 more points.”
Harden wasn’t trying to put Capela down as much as just admitting the truth about Zubac being a better and more cerebral player. He’s averaging 16.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks this season, easily the best season of his career.
Capela’s best season on the Rockets alongside Harden saw him average 16.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 2018-19. However, they are very different centers, with Capela having jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism in his prime.
He could effortlessly catch any lob from Harden while protecting the rim and rebounding aggressively. He couldn’t do much else, which led to him being traded away in February 2020 to the Atlanta Hawks, where he’s been ever since.
Zubac doesn’t have the same athletic ability and has had to build up his overall skillset to have the successful NBA career he’s had until now. He’s a more deft passer, has a softer touch around the rim, and is a more skilled technical rebounder who can find the right spots while boxing out to restrict opposing centers from outjumping him.
Harden has elevated his teammates at almost every stop in his career. What he did for Capela was phenomenal at the time, but what he’s achieving with Zubac right now is remarkably impressive.
I feel comfortable in saying Zubac couldn’t have taken this leap without a point guard like Harden empowering him to play a major role in the offense. It’s paid dividends, as the Clippers are 46-32 and hoping to make the Playoffs as a top-six seed.
