The Los Angeles Clippers are facing a huge handicap entering next season with superstar Kawhi Leonard. But one silver lining is the team gets a much larger dose of Terance Mann.
The incoming third-year guard was a revelation in the playoffs and is poised for a much bigger role this season. One Clippers teammate he credits a ton for his development is 13-year veteran Nic Batum.
Check out the two heap praise on each other during Clippers media day:
“I'm just real fortunate and I'm glad that I met Nic Batum so early in my career,” said Mann on his Clippers teammate. “Because it's just a greatr example of like a guy who just works hard, doesn't complain, is focused, who will play hard every night and will do whatever it takes to win. That's me, and I just see a lot of myself in him. I'm just fortunate to have a vet like this.
Not to be outdone, Nic Batum dropepd a succinct yet equally impactful take on the young Clippers guard. His message on Mann was loud and clear, especially with them sitting right next to each other the entire time.
“He knows what I think about him since Day 1. I talked to him during training camp last year, so I'm really happy. Just the beginning for him. We've only seen 10% of Terance Mann right now. He's gonna be great. He knows that. He knows.”
To see Terance Mann light up like that in the end is everything for Clippers fans. With the team devoid of most of its first-round picks to acquire Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, LA needs to rely heavily on internal development. Mann looks like the team's best shot at unearthing a third star and with a guy like Nic Batum to mentor him, his development is in good hands.