LA Clippers: Six Mid-Season Awards for the Clippers
LA Clippers Most Improved Player: Nicolas Batum
The biggest surprise this first half of the season for the LA Clippers is the emergence of 13-year veteran Nicolas Batum. The Clippers signed Batum to a veteran minimum after he had a disappointing season with the Charlotte Hornets. So far in the first half of the season, Nic has been outstanding in his role as the starting power forward.
Nicolas Batum has played in all but three games for the LA Clippers and has started every game in which he’s appeared. What he lacks in overall scoring production he makes up for as a dynamic playmaker by setting up efficient shots, being a presence in the clutch, and becoming a highly efficient defensive player. Batum averages nine points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals per game (second most on the LA Clippers).
Batum has registered 20 games where he had a positive plus/minus presence on the court. The Clippers have a 6-9 record in the 15 games in which he has a negaitive plus/minus, and that includes some of the worst losses of the season. These losses include blowouts, blown leads to elite teams, or losses in the clutch.
Batum is a dangerous three-point shooter in certain situations. When he is posted in the corner behind the three point line, he is an unusually highly efficient shooter for the LA Clippers, shooting 46.7% from the left corner and making the second most shots from that area in the entire league.
LA Clippers Best Young Player: Terance Mann
This season was a crucial season for all of the LA Clippers, but it was especially crucial for the young players in their second-year to rookie year. At the beginning of the season, Terance Mann had a rough start to try and earn his playtime on the team. After a 13-point game in the huge win over the Sacramento Kings, Mann fell off once again. It wasn’t until Luke Kennard’s role started to diminish that Mann started to find his groove.
In the last 20 games Mann has played for the LA Clippers, he has averaged 6.9 points per game on a field-goal percentage of 53.2% as well as 1.8 assists per game and 3.9 rebounds per game. Mann is a player with a lot of swagger and growing confidence that can turn him into a player that can be relied on down the stretch of the season. His confidence and tenacious mentality make him a player to build upon this season and beyond.
dark. Next. Trying to improve on the margins is the best move
Outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (now with the Oklahoma City Thunder), the LA Clippers have not had great luck drafting and developing players that can contribute significantly. Mann is the first player to look like he belongs as a role player for the Clippers night-in and night-out. His future looks bright if he keeps growing physically and mentally.