Manning Has Made Immediate Impact

Danny Manning is expected to be the Clippers’ foundation of the future.

Yet, his impact has been sudden.

In 5 games, Manning, the Clippers’ No. 1 draft choice, is averaging 15.2 points, 7 rebounds and 30.4 minutes of playing time per game. He also has made his teammates look better with his passing and defense.

“Just his presence (makes a difference),” Coach Gene Shue said. “Coming in and playing and looking like a pro player from the start.”

But for the first time since seventh grade Manning is not starting. Moreover, despite his easy transition to the pro game after a holdout that kept him out of training camp and the Clippers’ first 4 games, he may not start soon.

So, Manning begins earning $1.5 million for 1988-89 season as a reserve.

“I don’t know,” Shue said recently. “I’m not thinking much about a change right now.”

Credit Ken Norman and Charles Smith for keeping Manning out of the starting lineup. Shue is happy with his three-man rotation at forward, the only consistent position on a Clipper team that is 4-5 heading into tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz (5-2) at the Salt Palace.

Manning should eventually become a starter, but for now he has accepted the role.

“It gives me time to study what is happening on the court,” Manning said. “I’ll be going in blind against all these teams, so I’m able to sit down and watch before I go in. That way, I can see what the people are doing on the other team on the court.

“We have a nice rotation as it is. I don’t want to mess it up. I don’t want to ruin the way things are going.”

All three forwards are producing and playing a lot in the 5 games since Manning has joined the team--Norman at 39.4 minutes a game, Smith at 30.6 and Manning at 30.4.

“All that’s really irrelevant as long as we win,” said Smith, the third pick in the draft who is averaging 16.2 points and 6.1 rebounds. “We all must be doing something right if we’re winning.