The move could have been awkward, even messy, for the Clippers. But instead of egos clashing, Terance Mann and Russell Westbrook have forged a friendship that has one learning from another.
When Westbrook arrived, it pushed Mann back to the bench after starting 22 of 23 games since January. There isn’t any animosity, however, from the young guard. In fact, he has welcomed the advice he has received from Westbrook, whose locker is next to his.
“It’s been amazing to be on a team with Russell Westbrook,” Mann said. “I’ve been a big fan of his since he’s been in the NBA. Last night, we were joking, he’s in Year 15 or something, and he’s 34. I was like, ‘Man, you look 23. You look younger than me.’ It’s crazy. So just being able to watch him lead and be great is cool.”
Westbrook said it’s important to share what he has learned in those 15 years and does so willingly with Mann. He said Mann is a talented young player who will continue to get better.
“I see so many great things he can do on the floor, pretty much everything and my job throughout the games is make sure that I stay on him, continue instilling conference in him, his abilities,” Westbrook said. “What he has already, I’m just here to help make sure that I can be a springboard to see him do some great things.”
Already, Mann said Westbrook has helped mentality, such as “not worrying about the last play and (go) onto the next one. Kind of just that relentless mentality of the next play is your best play. And I appreciate that from him.”
Mann isn’t the only Clippers player benefitting from Westbrook’s presence. The team has increased its shooting percentage (37.6%) from beyond the arc when the veteran point guard is on the floor. Paul George credited Westbook’s play.
“His playmaking, we’re getting easier shots because he can get in the paint and he gets us easy opportunities in transition as well from behind the three,” George said. “His energy and his…
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