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LA Clippers: Four things to ponder as we prepare for tip-off

By Jose Salviati

HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 06: Ivica Zubac #40 and Terance Mann #14 of the Los Angeles Clippers fight for position during a free throw attempt with Donatas Motiejunas #12 of the Shanghai Sharks 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: Ivica Zubac #40 and Terance Mann #14 of the Los Angeles Clippers fight for position during a free throw attempt with Donatas Motiejunas #12 of the Shanghai Sharks 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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LA ClippersTerance Mann (Photo by Jay Metzger/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What to be excited about in the Clippers 2019-20 season

Let’s be honest, for the first time in a very long time, there is a lot to be excited about. The Clippers will likely have one of the, if not the, best benches in the NBA. That’s something to be excited about. How about the likelihood that they will have one of the, if not the, best defenses in the Association?

I know some aren’t fans of good defense in the NBA. I mean, it’s a lot more entertaining to watch someone drain a long three over someone defending a post-up move and getting the rebound.  But, defense wins championships; yes, this is something to be excited about.

I haven’t even got to the free-agent signings and players acquired in trades. There were two that are pretty good. Their names escape me right now, but I guess you can be excited about them as well.

But no, for me, the one “thing” to be most excited about as we prepare for the Clippers new season is not the bench, the defense or the players acquired via trade or free-agent signing. I’m most excited about Terance Mann.

I’d like to say I saw something in a young Kobe Bryant when I first saw him in 1996, but I didn’t. Hearing Gregg Popovich refers to then-rookie Blake Griffin as a “monster” left me curious. I mean, he was certainly good, but I never thought he would be as good as he has become. It’s safe to say I don’t exactly have a history of noticing greatness. Yet, there is something in Mann that excites me.

He plays under control. The moment doesn’t seem too big for him. I realize this is just pre-season, but these are still professional basketball players he is lining up against and he simply doesn’t look intimidated. He looks ready for his moment. He has “it”, whatever that is. On the court, he has already shown an amazing ability to make the type of passes only elite guards make. Well, elite guards make or Manu Ginobili used to make. He rebounds like a big but still handles like a guard. The Clippers struck gold in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander last season, it’s presumptuous to suggest they have again.

But, maybe they have.

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