NBA: 5 dark horse candidates for Most Improved Player in 2021-22
By Dalton Sell
Terance Mann could be a dark horse candidate for 2021-22 NBA M.I.P.
Prior to last season, most NBA fans were unfamiliar with Terance Mann of the LA Clippers. After playing scarcely during his rookie season in 2019-20, the guard received a much more significant role in the 2020-21 season, which finally put him on the map. His minutes increased from 8.8 to 18.9 over the first two seasons of his career, and he is slated to play a bigger role for the franchise this year, which will give him the opportunity to shine.
With superstar forward Kawhi Leonard set to miss a significant portion of the season as he rehabs from ACL surgery, the Clips will need players to step up in his absence. All-Star Paul George will shoulder much of the burden, but Mann is a player that could also help keep this team afloat. He was solid for the Clippers in last season’s playoff run by averaging 7.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per contest. Mann had a breakout performance in the postseason as he dropped a new career-high 39 points to help the Clippers win against the Utah Jazz in a Game 6 matchup. He has the potential to be a key piece for this franchise, and it could be unearthed this coming season.
Mann showed positive signs in the preseason as he averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across four games. The Clippers believe this as they handed the 24-year-old guard an extension recently. They envision him being an essential piece of their core moving forward, and this season should be his best yet as the Clippers look to build off their first Conference Finals outing in franchise history.