The Mann File
- 48th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft
- Three-year starter at Florida State University
That Mann is a Problem
In a league dominated by superstars and shallow rotations, it's hard for the little guy to make an impact. Second round picks are traded with as much deliberation as that the six different majors that one friend tried in college.
Not much is expected of such underdogs, so when they show up big, it means something.
Terance Mann was a second-round pick himself. He played in the shadows of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George as he grinded his way to the Los Angeles Clippers rotation. When his name was called upon, Mann was the man for the Angel City's second squad,
In a Western Conference Semifinals matchup with the Utah Jazz, Leanord was hurt, and Mann got the start. He would dunk on defensive wizard Rudy Gobert in Game 5. The next game, he did the unthinkable.
He turned Gobert to dust. Playing an intricate role in Los Angeles' attack, they aggressive pursued the Utah big man and forced him out to the perimeter. From there, it was like making a pun out of Terance Mann's name.
The Clippers won, 131-119. Mann dropped 39. He shot 7-of-10 from deep. His dunks reverberated around an arena in shock.
Mann saved Los Angeles' season and sent them to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history; a feat the Lob City Clippers never accomplished.
Mann almost single-handedly held the dagger that ended the Jazz's season. Not bad for a second-round pick.