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What we learned from the LA Clippers’ victory over the Shanghai Sharks

By Garrett Chorpenning

HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 06: Maurice Harkless #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers and Cai Liang #1 of the Shanghai Sharks joust for position during a free throw attempt during the first half of the game at the Stan Sheriff Center on October 6, 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 06: Maurice Harkless #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers and Cai Liang #1 of the Shanghai Sharks joust for position during a free throw attempt during the first half of the game at the Stan Sheriff Center on October 6, 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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HONOLULU, HI – OCTOBER 6: Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers smiles during the game against the Shanghai Sharks on October 6, 2019, at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Jay Metzger/NBAE via Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI – OCTOBER 6: Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers smiles during the game against the Shanghai Sharks on October 6, 2019, at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Jay Metzger/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The LA Clippers have multiple playmakers

One of the biggest criticisms of the LA Clippers this summer was their lack of a playmaker. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the primary option for the team last season, but now that he’s with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Clippers were supposed to enter the season without someone who could run the offense.

The further we get into the preseason, that’s looking to be less and less true.

LA might not have one, single defined playmaker that can run the offense night in and night out. They do, however, have multiple players that are capable of moving the ball and setting their teammates up for easy scores.

Terance Mann has surprisingly emerged from that group, but Landry Shamet and Patrick Beverley have proven to be solid options as well.

Mann has been the surprise of the summer, thriving in Summer League play and bringing it up a notch now that the preseason has started. He’s gone from second-round afterthought to rotation-caliber player, and he’s done so by showing off his versatility and playmaking ability.

Perhaps the most impressive play he’s made so far this preseason happened last night when he set up JaMychal Green for an easy jam with this beautiful no-look pass:

https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1180986454090100736

Already, it seems as though he’s got a real sense of who his teammates are/how they like to be set up. If nothing else, it’s evident that his first- and second-team reps are paying off.

Shamet was impressive versus Shanghai as well, recording eight assists and just two turnovers. There’s been plenty of buzz about him being used more as a point guard this season, and he certainly seems like a capable playmaker.

In addition to Mann and Shamet, Jerome Robinson showed that he belonged in that discussion too. He had the best game of his Clippers career Sunday, going for nine points, six rebounds and eight assists in 21 minutes of action. He’s less likely to break through as a primary option, specifically in the starting rotation, but Robinson could provide some quick offense off the bench this year as he continues to work on his game.

Robinson was arguably the sharpest player on the floor Sunday, but it’s hard to put too much into that considering the competition. If he keeps this kind of play up as the Clippers go further into the preseason, then he’ll certainly deserve more recognition.

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