The Los Angeles Lakers are building a new identity under head coach JJ Redick, and no word defines it more than his now-famous mantra: the “banshee mentality.”
All-in effort. Maximum intensity. Full tilt. Zero hesitation.
And the rookie who’s embracing that philosophy the hardest?
Chris Mañon, the two-way guard who’s quietly becoming one of the most intriguing development stories in the entire organization.
🔊 Redick’s Definition: “A Banshee Is All In”
Back on Oct. 27, Redick broke down the mindset he expects from anyone wearing the Lakers jersey:
“In Laker culture it’s somebody who’s all in, two feet in the circle. A faucet, not a drink. Somebody who’s just all in full tilt.”
Mañon missed all of preseason and training camp with an ankle injury, but once the season tipped, he wasted no time showing he understood the assignment. His NBA debut came on Oct. 23 vs. the Sacramento Kings, followed by another appearance the next night vs. Portland.
Since then, he’s been grinding with the South Bay Lakers, where the “banshee” mentality is being drilled into him daily.
🐺 “Be a Dog. Be a Demon. Be a Destructor.”
Speaking exclusively to ClutchPoints, Mañon didn’t shy away from what Redick demands:
“JJ’s always telling me, be a banshee out there, be a dog, be a demon and a destructor. Anytime I get to play, that’s the mentality I need to have if I want to be an NBA player.”
And his early G League production shows he’s taking that message seriously.
📈 Dominating South Bay: Defense, Versatility, and a Whole Lot of Energy
Mañon’s G League debut?
A 16-point, 10-rebound double-double with 3 assists, 3 steals and 4 blocks.
Game two?
31 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks — and a growing reputation as a defensive disruptor.
Through six Showcase Cup games, he’s averaging:
- 15.3 points
- 7.5 rebounds
- 2.3 assists
- 2.8 steals
- 2.3 blocks
- 46.7% FG | 40% 3PT | 77.3% FT
For a two-way rookie, those numbers scream NBA potential.
South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie has empowered him to be more than a defensive spark — he’s been trusted as a secondary playmaker, even with strong ball-handlers like RJ Davis, Bronny James and Drew Timme on the roster.
🎯 Playmaking Roots Go Back to Cornell
Mañon’s court vision isn’t new — it was forged during his years at Cornell, where he posted near 3 assists per game and played with constant on-ball responsibility.
He credits the Ivy League for shaping his fundamentals:
“A lot of people talk mess about Ivy League, but it’s good basketball. I learned how to pass, move the ball, play in a good offense.”
His transfer to Vanderbilt completed the picture, teaching him how to become a disruptive defensive presence, a skill now visible every time he’s on the court.
🟣 How the Lakers Use Their Two-Way Players — and Why Mañon Might Be Next
Under Redick, the Lakers have embraced two-way players more than most teams.
Last season:
- Christian Koloko
- Trey Jemison
- Jordan Goodwin
—all played legit minutes, with Goodwin even earning a standard contract before the playoffs.
This year, Nick Smith Jr. has already stepped in and helped deliver a road win in Portland.
So it’s not unrealistic to think Mañon could hear his name called when injuries or roster moves inevitably test the team’s depth.
🔧 Mañon’s Mindset: “Wherever I Am, I’m Getting Better”
For now, the rookie is locked in on development:
“I’m taking every opportunity to get better and hone my skills. I know I need to work on my three-ball, discipline, a lot of things. Wherever I am, I’m just going to try to be as good as possible for my team.”
From embracing Redick’s banshee philosophy to showcasing elite defensive instincts and surprising playmaking, Chris Mañon is positioning himself as the kind of two-way gem the Lakers have consistently turned into real contributors.
The mentality is there.
The production is there.
And sooner or later, Los Angeles might need exactly what he brings.
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