The LAClippers’ win over the Miami Heat on Monday gave fans a lot to be happy with. The team, despite being down four starters, pulled off a gritty win that none of us expected.
One of the more surprising events of the night was the level of play of their young pieces.
The LA Clippers have good future pieces in Terance Mann and Amir Coffey.
Amir Coffey, who has spent most of the season in the G League was called up just days before playing major minutes for the Clippers. He didn’t disappoint, connecting on his first four attempts from deep, ultimately hitting five of six from the field.
To come in and be ready to contribute at an NBA level after playing down in the G League is a pretty great thing.
More impressive, however, was Terance Mann. He, like Coffey, scored 15 points. While that, along with his seven rebounds and three assists was great, it was just a showing that was indicative of his play all season.
After a rookie season that didn’t see him getting a ton of run outside of garbage minutes, we didn’t know what to expect from Mann this season. A combination of injuries and poor play from a few veteran guards have given him run early in the season and Mann has developed into an actual rotational piece for the Clippers.
Does he still have room to improve? Absolutely. Mann needs to work on his jump shot, especially from deep. He also gets a little too energetic at times which can get him into trouble. Still, there’s enough there for him to contribute regularly to this team while still learning. I doubt he sees much time in the team’s playoff rotation but he fills a need for this team, especially with Paul Geroge still out with his toe injury.
The LA Clippers haven’t been known for their youth development so seeing not one, but two young players come into their own is a real treat. Between Coffey and Mann along with Ivica Zubac and Luke Kennard who are also on the younger side, the Clippers have a lot of talented youth that they can use as role players for years to come.