Lakers’ Ivica Zubac showing preparation paying off

LOS ANGELES — The M-V-P chants usually became reserved for a certain Lakers closer that remained reliable for nearly 20 years to make shots when it mattered most.

With Kobe Bryant no longer under the limelight, Lakers fans channeled those cheers recently toward starting center Timofey Mozgov. Despite his four-year, $64 million price tag, Mozgov has become more valued for his solid offensive and defensive contributions than any hope he would become the face of the Lakers’ franchise. Hence, those fans seemingly anointed Mozgov as the Lakers’ MVP more out of jest.

But during the waning moments of the Lakers’ 127-121 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at Staples Center, another more likely candidate to carry the Lakers in the future emerged. Lakers rookie center Ivica Zubac heard those M-V-P chants as he stepped to the foul line in the waning minutes of Tuesday’s loss to Denver at Staples Center. This time, the fans sounded serious.

“People just having fun,” Zubac said with a smirk. “Way too soon.”

Yet, it is not way too soon to say that Zubac has provided more signs that validate why the Lakers selected the Croatian center with their 32nd draft pick last summer.

Against the Nuggets, Zubac posted career-highs across the board in points (11), field goals made and attempted (5-of-11), rebounds (13), blocks (3) and minutes played (26). At 19 years and 305 days old, Zubac also became the third-youngest Laker behind Andrew Bynum and D’Angelo Russell to record a double-double.

“He was really good, but I’m not going to say he turned a corner,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said. “I’m just going to say he was really good.”

Still, that did not stop plenty of others from basking in the excitement.

His friends and family from Croatia cheered as they watched the game at 4:30 a.m.. Meanwhile, the sellout crowd at Staples Center chanted Zuboc’s name with more ferocity and frequency than when he became a fan favorite on the Lakers’ Summer League team last summer in Las Vegas.

“Summer League is too easy with the guys we’re playing against,” Zubac said. “When you play against real NBA players and fans are behind your back chanting and supporting you 100 percent, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Once he returned to the locker room, Zubac experienced more great feelings. He recalled Lakers reserve forward Larry Nance Jr. was “almost jumping around” before congratulating Zubac for his performance. Soon after, Nance went on Twitter to share a creative nickname in homage of Zubac modeling his skyhook after former UCLA and Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Said Zubac: “I have 1,000 nicknames. I can’t choose my nickname. I like Zublocka. But everyday I have a new one. It’s hard to remember them all.”

Said Walton: “He actually has a skyhook. It’s nice. But I don’t know if he’s ready to qualify for that nickname.”

Yet, the 19-year-old Zubac seems qualified to become a vocal leader. As a player who loves finding open teammates on the corner of the perimeter, Zubac set up veteran forward/guard Nick Young for an open 3-pointer. But Young missed the shot with the Lakers trailing, 120-116, with 1:59 left. Zubac then turned to the 31-year-old Young.

“You better make your shots” Zubac told Young, “or I’m not going to pass it to you again.’”

Young smiled out of surprise and amusement. He then said, “Oh, Okay!”

“I was serious; he has to make that shot,” Zubac said. “It’s a great pass. It’s a shot to bring us to one point. He’s going to make that shot next time.”

And Zubac said he will not hesitate to offer the same reaction for if anyone misses next time.

“We are on the same team om the same court,” Zubac said, “playing together and trying to win.”

That sounded as pleasant to Walton as the music he plays in practice.

“I did not see that,” Walton said. “But I like that.”

Zubac has provided other things that Walton likes.

Zubac first “shocked” Walton during his Summer League stint by “making good basketball plays” despite catching up on his conditioning. Young became impressed enough with Zubac’s play during summer workouts that Young told close friends Zubac would become a special player.

Since then, Walton has liked Zubac’s feel for the game, ranging from his post presence, passing, timing and calm personality.

“It’s just natural. I always had a good feeling for the game to be in a good spot to score or to rebound or block shots,” Zubac said. “I can’t jump high, but I have good timing and feel for the blocks. The feel for the game is the best thing I got.”

It’s not the only thing Zubac has offered, though.

Zubac, who is listed at 7-foot-1, 240 pounds, said he actually entered his rookie season weighing 280 pounds. But during stints with the Lakers and their Development League affiliate, Zubac said he has dropped to about 272 by cutting out soda, other sugary beverages, fried foods and pasta. The extra conditioning between NBA and D-League stints helped, too. Zubac also plans to follow the Lakers’ wishes for him to lose seven more pounds to get to 265.

After bouncing between the Lakers and their Development League nearly every day in the last week, Zubac offered promise with eight points on 4-of-7 shooting and four rebounds in last week’s blowout loss to San Antonio. After playing in garbage time in last week’s loss against the Clippers, Zubac then became the 10th player and third Lakers player in NBA history to play in a D-League game on the same night.

“Every minute in the D-League, I was locked in mentally,” Zubac said. “I knew this was going to help for my NBA development. I was doing it as hard as I can. It paid off.”

That paved the way for Walton to allocate more playing time for Zubac.

“He’s going to be really good with the work he puts in outside of the 7:30 games and practice,” Lakers rookie forward Brandon Ingram said. “He’s with the coaches working on things every single day. He has an amazing skillset. He’s going to be really good.”

Zubac said he thinks the same way.

“I’m not surprised. I’ve been working the first half of the season working really hard,” Zubac said. “I was just waiting for my chance.”

It sounds like Zubac will have more chances.

“When opportunities present itself,” Walton said, “he’s going to get an early nod to go out there and help our team.”

When that happens, Zubac pledges to do a few things. He hopes to take advantage of his offensive repertoire with his hook shot and mid-range game. Zubac wants to improve his defense enough so the Lakers do not stay nearly last in the NBA in that area. And he remains determined to prove he is more than just “a bench guy that will do little stuff.”

After hearing the intoxicating chants around Staples Center, Zubac does not want it to stop.

“I hope,” Zubac said, “I’m going to have more moments like this.”


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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mmedina@scng.com