Los Angeles Clippers reserve, Terance Mann may be out of LA’s lineup with a left middle finger fracture that will sideline him through at least Christmas, but he is observant in multiple ways and is an asset on head coach, Ty Lue’s bench.
Currently sitting at 14-9 and in seventh place in the NBA’s Western Conference standings, Mann, 28, has been keeping a keen eye on what is keeping LA’s system revved up.
Without a doubt, the duo of James Harden and Ivica Zubac are a huge reason why.
James Harden & Ivica Zubac Pick-and-Roll Is Cohesive Notes Terance Mann
With defenses loading up on Harden, Zubac has often been left open for easy dunks and layups and the Croatian big man has capitalized immensely.
Over the last nine games, Zubac is averaging 15.1 points and 13.0 rebounds per game while shooting 68.4 percent from the floor.
“Their chemistry is insane,” Mann tells me.
“Their chemistry in the pick and roll, the way they read each other and the way they read off of each other, knowing where each other wants. So it’s dope to see that.”
Terance Mann Finding Ways To Be Impactful Within Clippers System
A key reserve, small-ball center, ball handler; Mann has probably played every role imaginable for the Clippers since he was drafted by LA with the team’s 48th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Mann was thrusted into the spotlight in year two of his NBA career when he scored a career-high 39 points in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals game against the Utah Jazz. The win propelled the Clippers to their first Western Conference Finals appearance in franchise history.
Years later, Mann is still present and the Clippers showed a commitment to him this past offseason when he signed a three year extension with the team after starting a career-high 71 games last season and averaging 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds.
Currently averaging 6.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per night this season, Mann’s been solid. As recent as last Sunday, he poured in 15 points while shooting a perfect 2-for-2 in LA’s 126-122 win over the Denver Nuggets.
He knows his role. “I’m just trying to figure out what I can bring to the starting five that’s valuable,” he shared.
“So still, I’m in the middle of trying to figure it out.”
No More Lakers…Nothing But Clippers In Intuit Dome!
The Clippers called the Staples Center and/or Crypto.com Arena home for 25 years. This fall, the team christened Inglewood, California’s Intuit Dome as their home arena. Swift concession stands, valet parking, USB chargers in each arena seat, Intuit is a premiere destination. The arena also boasts a hydrotherapy pool, spacious locker room, coaches room and weight room for opposing teams. The arena will also serve as a basketball venue during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Mann says he loves that the team finally has their own digs separate from the other LA team.. “Just having our own stuff, ” he said.
“Being able to come in here and practice here; being able to use both courts. The main court and the practice courts right here, having the weight room here… just having our own stuff and we’re not seeing Lakers banners and stuff like that. So, it’s pretty cool.”
Instead of a traditional Jumbotron that is arena standard, Intuit Dome has a Halo Board which displays stats and other necessities. During intermissions and timeouts, the Halo Board also has activities and mini-games for the audience. Mann says he sees similarities between Intuit Dome and another successful arena in Inglewood. “SoFi is probably the next best thing,” he said.
“Yeah. SoFi is that type of A-list so, I think that’s the closest thing that I can think of.”
Yankees, Dodgers World Series Recap
Aside from the Clippers, Mann pays attention to things LA adjacent like the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the World Series. Mann was not rooting for the Dodgers. “Naw, definitely the Yankees,” said Mann.
“And that was real pain for me.”
Mann, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, but relocated to the Greater Boston area by age eight, was hoping for a different outcome. The Dodgers had other plans with the Dodgers winning in five games and Freddie Freeman winning MVP of the series.
“That was real pain for me,” said Mann.
“It was tough, but shout out to the Dodgers. I mean, at least it’s an LA team.”
Boston Celtics, Rod Wave Music & Skechers Sneakers
While Mann may have been tapped into his New York roots for baseball, his Boston-area roots have him keenly paying attention to the reigning NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics. While you’d think he’d have his eyes on the usual suspects that includes Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Mann is actually keeping tabs on someone else on that team. “I really like how Peyton Prichard has been playing,” he shared.
“He’s been real aggressive and showing that he belongs out there and so, Peyton is a guy I enjoy watching.”
Mann’s also enjoying good music. Apparently, rapper Rod Wave has been providing that. “A lot of Rod Wave,” said Mann.
“I like the way he speaks to the people; I like his delivery and so Rod Wave has been amazing.
Mann isn’t the only athlete who is inspired by Wave. Carolina Panthers quarterback, Bryce Young developed a bond with Wave after Carolina benched him for subpar play. The rapper reached out to Young on Instagram and told him to call him. Soon after, Young played inspired football. He hit me when I got benched, just being supportive,” Young said recently.
“I was definitely grateful for that, so super cool.”
Lastly, Terance Mann loves his partnership with shoe brand, Skechers. The first NBA player to partner with the Los Angeles-based shoe brand, Mann is one of three hoopers including the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Julius Randle to rock the kicks on court.
Mann helped launch the SKX NEXUS, a low-top basketball shoe designed for speed, stability, and support. The shoe features Skechers Move Foam insoles, 5-GEN Foam midsole cushioning, and Goodyear rubber on the outsole for traction.
This season, Mann has been sporting Skechers’ SKX NEXUS and SKX RESAGRIP and he says he was drawn to Skechers because of their focus on comfort, high performance, and quality. He also says that Skechers basketball shoes are the most comfortable shoes on the court. “Oh yeah, colorways and they show me different shoes and stuff,” he said.
“They ask me what I like and what I don’t like and it’s a dope partnership to be a part of.”
Mann’s Clippers will be off from game play until Sunday where they’ll play the Houston Rockets at home at the Intuit Dome. While Mann will be out until at least Christmas, the Clippers are entering into a period where they will have far more rest days than they have encountered to begin the season. There is a solid chance for them to continue their winning ways until Kawhi Leonard returns to the lineup.
