We knew that there would be plenty of uncertainties and questions to be answered heading into this season for the LA Clippers. With one starter from last season leaving town and another perpetually on the sideline, no one was quite sure what the starting lineup would look like.
Stepping up in a big way has been Norman Powell. Previously operating as the Clippers' top bucket-getter off the bench, Norm has stepped into the starting unit and has taken care of business in a big way. He is averaging 25 points and shooting north of 50% from the floor.
But where Powell has succeeded and exceeded expectations to this point, some others have struggled a bit more than expected. Terance Mann, for example, has been a borderline liability at the offensive end, averaging just 5.6 points per game while starting and playing over 22 minutes a night.
Meanwhile, Kris Dunn has played a similar amount of minutes but has been much more productive at both ends of the floor. The Clippers' new backcourt addition is putting up 7.5 points on average while shooting the third-highest percentage of any rostered player to attempt at least 1.6 shots per game.
Kris Dunn has brought a big impact to the Clippers
Dunn has been nothing short of special in his short time as a Clipper thus far, and you can bet the fanbase has taken notice. Over the course of eight games, Kris has been doing what is asked of him and then some on the offensive side of the ball. And as we know, Dunn's calling card is on-ball defense.
The 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks that Dunn has put up this season just scratches the surface of his true defensive impact. He has routinely frustrated opposing ball-handlers, and has made making simple passes become a much more difficult task for his opposition. Tack on the fact that he has become a legitimate threat from beyond the arc in shooting a staggering 45.5% from distance, and the prospect of him claiming a starting spot no longer seems so far-fetched.
Clipper nation has a lot of love for Terance Mann, but many are starting to see that he could likely be just as effective, if not more so, off the bench than with the starting unit. Dunn has more than earned his opportunity to play with the starters, and it is something the coaching staff may have to consider before long.