Chris Mannon embraces ‘banshee’ mentality in rookie season (Exclusive)

Since JJ Redick has been the head coach Los Angeles Lakershe emphasized what he calls a ‘banshee’ mentality. That is, in his words, “in the Laker culture, there’s somebody who’s all six feet in the circle. The faucet, not the drink. That’s somebody who’s just at full tilt,” Redick explained before the team’s Oct. 27 game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

During the first few weeks of the regular season, a player on the Lakers roster who tries to embody that mentality is rookie quarterback Chris Mannon. Mannion missed the entire preseason and training camp while recovering from an ankle injury, but was healthy to start the season and received his first NBA minutes during the Lakers’ win against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 23.

He also played back-to-back the next night, albeit in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Since then, however, Magnon has been assigned to the South Bay Lakers as the G League season began. South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie works in tandem with Redick, and that banshee mentality is ingrained in Magnon, whether he’s in the G League or with the Lakers.

“I think I’m still working on that. That’s the big thing that JJ always tells me, be the banshee out there, be the dog, be the demon and the destroyer. That’s exactly what I’m trying to work on especially while I’m here,” Manon told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. “Whenever I start playing, that’s the mentality I need to have if I want to be an NBA player.”

Chris Menon is getting reps with the South Bay Lakers

As Mannion’s rookie season with the Lakers progresses, it’s a good bet he’ll spend most of his time in the South Bay, barring any major backcourt injury. In his G League debut, Manon finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three assists, three steals and four blocks.

After that, he scored 31 points, seven rebounds, two assists, four steals and three blocks. During his early time with the South Bay Lakers, he shot 45.8 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three-point line.

As the G League has grown over the past few years, Manon’s first impression is that it is a very competitive league.

“Everyone is playing hard. Everyone is trying to get to the next level. Everything is filmed here, and it’s very professional, very organized,” Manon said. “Everyone takes it seriously. I think it’s good to be here and learn more.”

Mannion has appeared in a total of six games so far with South Bay in the Showcase Cup portion of the G League schedule. He is averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.3 blocks while shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 40 percent from the 3-point line and 77.3 percent from the free throw line.

You can insert at least two of them impressive defense plays every gamebut what stands out about Magnon’s game is his playing. Primarily two backs, Magnon was trusted to have the ball in his hands and play half-court sets. South Bay had no shortage solid playmakers with RJ DavisBrony James and even Drew Timme is able to handle the ball and react to the defense.

Mannion’s game play was evident in college, especially when he dished out around three assists per game his first year at Cornell. He credits his first three college seasons playing for the Big Red as the reason he feels comfortable playing off the dribble.

“When I was at Cornell, I had a little bit more responsibility as a playmaker, and then when I went to Vanderbilt, it was a little bit more off the ball,” Manon said. “I just try to do what the team needs, and I think I’m capable of doing anything, honestly. That’s what I try to do every time I play.”

And I went back to his Cornell days that helped mold Manon into the player he is today. Many players coming out of high school want to play at a Division 1 college right from the start. For Manon, the three years he spent playing in the Ivy League were key to his development, and eventually his transition to high school at Vanderbilt.

“A lot of people talk trash about the Ivy League and whatever, but it’s good basketball,” Manon said. “I learned a lot of fundamental skills, how to pass and move the ball. We had one of the best offenses out there. At Vanderbilt, I learned how to be disruptive and more of a defensive guy.”

Chris Menon ready to contribute to the Lakers

Since JJ Redick became head coach last season, the Lakers have used their two-way contract players frequently. The Lakers finished last year with Christian Kolok, Trey Jamison and Jordan Goodwin on a two-way deal, with all three playing key roles at times. Goodwin even earned a standard contract before the playoffs.

This season, Nick Smith Jr. was called into action and helped the Lakers win on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers despite being shorthanded. It’s possible that Manon could hear his name called at some point during the regular season. Injuries happen unexpectedly, trades and roster moves can shake up a team’s composition.

But until then, he will continue to work and get used to the NBA game.

“I feel like I’m just taking every opportunity to try to get better and improve my skills,” Manon said. “I know I have to work on my three, I have to work on a lot of things and stay disciplined. So wherever I am, I’m just going to try to get better and be as disciplined and as good as possible for my team.”