Arrived at the Lakers at the “trade deadline” in the exchange involving Russell Westbrook, Jarred Vanderbilt exceeded the expectations placed on him. Even better, he didn’t even need an adjustment period.
On the bench, during his first two games under the colors “Purple & Gold”, he managed to convince Darvin Ham by his immediate impact to integrate him immediately into the starting five.
One of his first starts took place against the Mavericks on February 26. While the Lakers were trailing by more than 20 points, it was he who sounded the revolt, especially during a third quarter, where he continued to harass Luka Doncic, as soon as the latter passed his half of the field, causing multiple losses of opposing balls. Thanks to his defensive efforts, the Lakers managed to turn the game around, and win on the Dallas floor.
During this meeting, he displayed his defensive qualities to the general public. His size, his athleticism, his energy and his instincts make him play with uncommon relentlessness. He is thus always putting pressure on the opposing ball carrier.
“There are a lot of things that come into play” he explained at The Athletic. “It’s a question of energy, but also of intelligence. For example, I know who I can take. I know when to step back. I know, just by reading the scouting report, when I can attempt the interception. I know how to go in certain directions, regardless of the player. So there is a lot of video work and analysis that comes into play. “.
Bruised by wounds
In high school, Jarred Vanderbilt was a five-star prospect and played in the McDonald’s All-American, a game featuring the best high school players in the country.
For most of his high school years, and even when he started college in Kentucky, he was considered a future first-round draft pick. But injuries got in the way of his development. He thus fractured his foot twice in high school, choosing to have surgery the second time and have a screw implanted to stabilize himself. Unfortunately for him, he suffered a third broken foot in Kentucky.
“I missed three or four years in which I could just develop and become the player that I am” did he declare. “Having that free time without playing basketball made me really appreciate the game and understand what it means to me. So every time I step on the court, I play every game like it’s my last.”.
Despite Jarred Vanderbilt’s multiple injuries, Kentucky coach John Calipari advised him to go to the Draft. The winger then decided to solve his injury problem once and for all. He therefore decided to undergo a bone graft on his left foot in order to strengthen the area that bothered him. When his doctors told him there was an increased risk that the same surgery would be needed on his right foot, he decided to have surgery on both feet as soon as possible. For nearly six months, he was immobilized. Result: his rating dropped, and he was only selected in 41st position in the 2018 Draft.
And in his first two seasons in the Great League, he played just 28 games in total…
After only a year and a half in Denver, he was sent to Minnesota. A team where he will finally be able to prove himself. There, he established himself as an important starter, but also as a solid defender, allowing the franchise to return to the playoffs in 2022.
“It adapts to almost any position” says Chris Finchcoach of the Timberwolves. “He does everything winning teams need. He plays hard. It makes the extra possessions happen. He defends on all the players you ask him to defend. He’s a team player. He knows his role.
But then, when Jarred Vanderbilt thought he had finally found his place with Wolves, the franchise traded him to Jazz the following summer. He is involved in Rudy Gobert’s XXL trade.
The Lakers X Factor
After a few months at the Jazz, Jarred Vanderbilt arrives at the Lakers during the 2023 “trade deadline”. The latter then pointed to 13th place in the West. They therefore logically decided to shake up their workforce with the arrivals of Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba or even D’Angelo Russell.
Although the winger is not the best-known player among Lakers rookies, he has become one of the central figures of the team’s turnaround in the final weeks of the regular season.
Inspired by Dennis Rodman, he shows it on the field by defending against the best opposing player in each match, but also off the court with his flashy outfits.
“Growing up, I didn’t base my game on Dennis Rodman” says Jarred Vanderbilt. “But my role, since I’ve been in the NBA, is to try to replicate what he was doing. Real basketball players and real basketball players don’t underestimate this aspect of the game.”.
Jarred Vanderbilt has thus become the ideal complement to LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the frontcourt. Since joining the Lakers, he’s posted 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals, but his impact goes beyond the numbers. Every night, he fights, hinders the best opposing player, while spreading his energy to his teammates.
“He’s the best defender in the NBA” says Austin Reaves. “Vando is doing all these Dennis Rodman things for us” adds D’Angelo Russell.
With AD able to protect the circle, Jarred Vanderbilt has the freedom to pursue his player on the perimeter aggressively, knowing that if he is beaten, Anthony Davis will be there as a last curtain.
“His energy, his effort alone, he knows where to place himself on each possession” points out LeBron James. “And he knows how to use teams that don’t see him as an attacking threat”.
Since the “trade deadline”, the Lakers have a record of 18 wins and only 8 losses, the best in the West. In addition, they have the third best “Defensive Rating” in the entire league over the same period. Figures that increase the value of Jarred Vanderbilt. The latter, however, has a “team option” of $ 4.7 million for next season, which the Lakers intend to activate. Good news for the player, who is already in his fourth franchise since joining the league in 2018.
| Jarred Vanderbilt | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 17 | 4 | 47.4 | 0.0 | 60.0 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.4 |
| 2019-20 * | All Teams | 11 | 4 | 62.5 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1.1 |
| 2019-20 * | DEN | 9 | 5 | 71.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 1.1 |
| 2019-20 * | MIN | 2 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 64 | 18 | 60.6 | 20.0 | 55.9 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 5.4 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 74 | 25 | 58.7 | 14.3 | 65.6 | 2.9 | 5.5 | 8.4 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 6.9 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 78 | 24 | 54.8 | 32.2 | 69.1 | 2.2 | 5.3 | 7.5 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 7.9 |
| 2022-23 * | UTH | 52 | 24 | 55.6 | 33.3 | 65.7 | 2.3 | 5.5 | 7.9 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 8.3 |
| 2022-23 * | ALL | 26 | 24 | 52.9 | 30.3 | 78.4 | 1.9 | 4.8 | 6.7 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 7.2 |
| Total | 244 | 21 | 57.3 | 28.8 | 64.3 | 2.1 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 6.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
