Role players may not always garner the respect they deserve from the public, but their contributions are always needed.
Judging by the Los Angeles Clippers' recent decision to offer a contract extension to an important role player, they feel the same way.
"We place tremendous value on the competitiveness, consistency, durability and hard work that T (Terance) Mann continues to demonstrate year after year," Clippers’ president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Wednesday. “Since we drafted him in 2019, T Mann has turned himself into the ultimate glue guy, a two-way player who takes tough assignments and hits big shots. When we think about the qualities that make a young player a Clipper, we often wind up with a description of T Mann, and we're thrilled he will remain a vital part of us."
Last season, Mann averaged 8.8 points per game on 51.5% shooting from the field and 34.8% shooting from three.
The Clippers bowed out in the opening round of the playoffs, but Mann had a solid showing in the postseason, notching 9.3 points per contest while connecting on 41.3% of his field goals and 45.5% of his long-range jumpers. He was also responsible for keeping Luka Doncic in check efficiency-wise during the Clippers' first-round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Florida State product was selected No. 48 overall by the Clippers in the 2019 draft. During his second season in Los Angeles, Mann made a statement in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, pouring in 39 points on 71.4% shooting from the field and 70% shooting from deep. That incredible performance propelled the Clippers to a 131-119 series-clinching victory over the Utah Jazz.
Offensively, Mann is helpful as an off-ball cutter who can make stress-free decisions in the paint. For instance, If James Harden beats his initial defender off the dribble and causes the defense to collapse, Mann will bolt into the lane and prepare to finish with either hand at the rim.
He also isn’t afraid to step up and knock down open triples after several ball reversals on the perimeter. Defensively, Mann will match up against any opponent and make them work for every basket. Essentially, he isn’t a defender that teams can expose regularly.
With the departure of Paul George in July, it’s reasonable to assume Mann’s role will increase with the Clippers this season.
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