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LA Clippers players may want Terance Mann to play more

By Garrett Chorpenning

HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 03: Terance Mann #14 of the Los Angeles Clippers hangs on to the rim after dunking the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at the Stan Sheriff Center on October 3, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 03: Terance Mann #14 of the Los Angeles Clippers hangs on to the rim after dunking the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at the Stan Sheriff Center on October 3, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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After a standout performance in the LA Clippers’ preseason debut, it seems as though Terance Mann’s teammates want to see him on the floor more often.

It’s hard to take too many things away from the LA Clippers’ Summer League and preseason performances, but if there’s been one constant through both, it’s that Terance Mann is already looking like a potential steal. The second-round pick was impressive in his outings in Las Vegas, and against the Houston Rockets last Thursday, he had a nice line of eight points, nine rebounds and four assists in a team-high 25 minutes of action.

But according to The Athletic‘s Jovan Buha, 25 minutes may not be enough minutes for the 22-year-old point guard.

Via Twitter, Buha reported that Doc Rivers believes that LA’s players are indicating they want to see Mann on the floor more often. Rivers was quoted as saying the following:

"“That’s the guy you always see them talking to, they’re always on. … It’s almost like they’re saying, ‘Hey, you’ve gotta get going. You’ve gotta get ready now.'”"

Considering the amount of talent on the LA Clippers’ roster, it’s notable for Mann to be getting this kind of recognition and support from his teammates. And while Buha’s report did not mention any players by name, Mann recently shared a photo on Instagram of him speaking with Lou Williams and Kawhi Leonard.

If those two are among the players that have been most vocal with Mann, then it’s obvious that they see something special in the kid.

Mann should receive more playing time Sunday when the Clippers host the Shanghai Sharks. Considering the talent disparity between the two teams, it’s possible that the usual starters aren’t on the floor for longer than five minutes each. That would leave plenty more time for LA’s younger players, like Mann and Mfiondu Kabengele, to show what they’re capable of.

Buha also reported that the Clippers might have a fluid starting lineup this season, meaning that depending on the situation and which team LA is up against, Rivers could opt for a different five — with Leonard and Paul George being the only “locks” in the rotation.

Rivers specifically noted that the power forward and point guard positions would be the most fluid, which leads us to believe that the Clippers are at least considering using Mann as a starting point at some point in the season. Patrick Beverley will surely be the favorite there, and Landry Shamet is expected to take on the role as well this season. But Mann has some stake as well.

Even if Mann doesn’t end up starting in a significant number of games, it certainly seems as though the backup point position is his to lose. With how well he’s been playing, it’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t become a staple of LA’s rotation this year.

What we learned from the LA Clippers' preseason opener. dark. Next

It may be too early to start thinking about Mann’s place in the starting rotation. After all, we’re just one game into the preseason schedule, and a lot could happen between now and opening night. But if Mann keeps performing like he did Thursday, then he could wind up playing a much more significant role than we expected for the LA Clippers this season.

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