The Los Angeles Clippers came soaring back against the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. The best team in the NBA held a 12-point lead. But Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac orchestrated a violent comeback that sparked life into the Intuit Dome. As much the Klaw’s return back to his groove has become a talking point, the Clippers would be nowhere without Big Zu himself.

The monstrous center went off for 28 points and 20 rebounds, coming up key in the fourth quarter with a brute solo display. However, it wasn’t always like this. As a youngster, Zubac didn’t have the same confidence he does this season. However, two of his former teammates pushed him to take on greater responsibility. Former Clippers Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley propelled Zubac to become the beast he is today.

“Pat Bev and Lou Will. Those two guys you know, Lou was in the Lakers with me. I learned a lot from him there. He tested me a lot when I got here. He pushed me a lot but I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. I learned so much from him not just in basketball but off the court too I would say those two,” Zubac said after his big performance.

Williams and Beverley both pushed the Clippers center. With the pressure on him, Zubac has shaped himself into a lethal offensive asset, thriving with his post work and footwork. Another man who has seen his ravishing rise is Kawhi Leonard who has now spent five years with him.

The 2019 Finals MVP also accepts that when he first arrived Zubac “definitely wasn’t ready to get the ball”. But this season in particular, with Leonard out, Ivica Zubac needed to step up. In his entire career, he has recorded four 20-20 games. Three of those have come this season. “He’s you know being more aggressive. When it’s two on him he’s dunking the ball. He’s also being patient in his post-ups and um you know as you get more touches you start to get more patient,” Kawhi Leonard said of the Clippers center.

The 28-year-old was integral tonight. But it wasn’t just a one-man effort.

The Clippers are beginning to take shape

The Clippers were against the best team in the NBA, facing a steep deficit. However, the Cavaliers have had problems closing games out recently. The Clippers merely took advantage. After conceding a string of three-pointers early on, they held the Cavaliers to just 1-13 from three in the final quarter.

On the other hand, aside from Zubac’s big night, Leonard added 33 points to the mix. He barely missed any shots, especially in the first half where the Klaw was instrumental in the Clippers always having a fighting chance.

The Intuit Dome’s atmosphere sure helped the team. After each makes the cheers got louder. Moreover, their energy seemed to have rattled the Cavs. But for Leonard, he didn’t think much of it. “Me personally, I don’t feel a big difference but just from the beginning of the season, and now like I said before fans are being great and coming in and seats are being filled and it was great tonight,” Leonard said about the crowd.

What do you expect from someone compared to a robot? Leonard may not be moved by the striking atmosphere the Intuit Dome holds. However, it’s among the most electric arenas in the NBA today. The Clippers fans have shown great delight at Steve Ballmer’s initiative to have an exclusive home for the franchise.

It has had a captivating impact on the Clippers too. Of their 39 wins, 24 of them have come at home. It’s evident that the Intuit Dome is a fortress where the team isn’t easy to beat. With the playoffs in mind, the Clippers will be confident in having such a powerful home advantage on their side.