Terance Mann getting 2nd team reps is a good sign

Rookie guard Terance Mann was reportedly getting 2nd team reps in practice for the LA Clippers. This is a good sign for a team lacking PG depth.

Training camp is underway and we are starting to get answers to the questions we have been asking all summer about the LA Clippers. One of the big questions going into camp was who would be the backup point guard?

After Monday’s practice, we may have an answer. Rookie guard Terance Mann reportedly was running the second-team offense when the team ran five-on-zero drills on Monday.

With Patrick Beverley penciled in as the starter and Paul George guaranteed to miss a few weeks, everyone wanted to see just what Doc Rivers planned on doing. It was assumed that Landry Shamet would get the start at the two and may even continue to once George returns, but what would this mean for the bench?

Putting the rookie at the one with the bench accomplishes a couple of things. First off, it gives the Clippers a bigger wing to pair with Lou Williams. This will allow the 6’7″ Mann to take the bigger matchup of opposing team’s guards when they share the court.

Secondly, Mann can play off ball as a spot up shooter. This keeps the ball in Lou’s hands where he can wreak havoc in the pick-and-roll with Montrezl Harrell. The two were the best pick-and-roll duo in the league last year and having a spot up shooter like Mann (he shot 39% from deep on 2.1 attempts last season at Florida State) just adds another wrinkle to their attack.

This isn’t to say Mann won’t have the ball in his hands. In Summer League, he averaged 5.7 assists. What’s even more remarkable is that he had not played much point guard in college.

During his press conference during Media Day, Mann noted that he did grow up playing point guard through high school, but began his freshman year at Florida State playing the four. He only ended up back at the one towards the end of his senior season. Despite the lack of time at the position, he said it came back naturally to him as he played in Summer League.

Even if it’s only a temporary thing to have Mann at the one for the bench, he seems ready for the task. Mann looks to have the maturity to handle the role and shouldn’t have too much pressure on him with all the other talent the Clippers have coming off the bench.

With neither George nor Kawhi Leonard playing in the team’s first couple of preseason games, we are sure to see lots of Mann. With a game against Houston on Thursday night, it’ll quickly become evident that he’s ready for the role.