No matter the primary starting lineup for the LA Clippers, the team is absolutely in the mix for title contention in the 2021-2022 season.
Despite having very little continuity throughout the season due to an injury-ravaged roster all year, the Clips still managed to make it to the Western Conference Finals and take the Suns to six games this year.
There are multiple great starting lineup options for Clipper Head Coach Tyronn Lue, and here’s a few options that will likely be considered by Lue come opening night. (Remember, Kawhi Leonard is likely out for the beginning of the year, so he will not be included in these lineups.)
No. 3 option for LA Clippers 2021-22 starting five
One option for the LA Clippers starting lineup is one we didn’t get the chance to see in the postseason, due to Serge Ibaka’s injury.
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Terance Mann
SF: Paul George
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Serge Ibaka
The surprise of this starting lineup is of course Mann. However, Mann really stepped up in Kawhi Leonard’s place when Leonard was out in the postseason.
Mann averaged a steal per game with no Leonard in the postseason, and was a major part in the Clippers’ dominating win to take the Western Conference Semifinal series in Game 6 against the Utah Jazz. That game was in Utah, by the way.
Mann had two steals, and went for 39 points on 15 of 21 shooting (7 for 10 from three-point land). There is a world where the Clippers could start Terance Mann in place of a two-point guard lineup, or in place of having Nicolas Batum come off of the bench. He did it plenty in the postseason when Kawhi went down, and is more than capable of playing at a high level as a starter.