Some NBA players might suggest they don't look at scores or watch other games when the season is coming down to the wire. It's a noble perspective to claim that the only thing that matters is your own performance. And in the end, yes, if you can win your games, you generally don't have to worry as much about what your opponents are doing.
But let's be real: Scoreboard and standings watching is part of the strategy when the season's schedule is coming closer to its finality.
Ivica Zubac admitted he watches it all, and described himself as a "hater" when he's looking at other teams vying for some of the final postseason slots in the Western Conference.
Here's video of him talking about that, shared by Joey Linn who covers the Clippers for onSI.
Ivica Zubac said he hate watches the teams around the Clippers in the standings.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) March 22, 2025
“We want to focus on ourselves and win as many games as we can, but at the same time every night I’m watching the games. I’m watching the teams in front of us, teams that are behind us in the… pic.twitter.com/JaSrEx01bG
LA is currently a game out of skipping the play-in tournament, but if the season were to end today, the Clips would have the best positioning in the tournament as the seventh seed (the seven- and eight-seed needs to win just one game to advance to the playoffs, and can lose once and still have a chance to get in). They're 6.5 games ahead of the last team that would make the play-in tournament, the 10th-seeded Phoenix Suns.
Hate watch away, Zubac.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Clippers Center Ivica Zubac Admits He's a 'Hater' When He Watches Other West Teams.