Jarred Vanderbilt Discussion: The Vandalorian

Vando should have never been taken out of the rotation in the 1st place

 

Seems to have had a more effective play response from him on offense. Scoring randomly a little more in different ways than only from 3s in the corner where he'll never be respected, even if shooting close to 40% on just a few a game, and screens and passing? The D and rebounding has always been good.

 

You have to believe in your core guys and let them play through some things. JJ had no problems doing that with Gabe

 

The Luka whisperer/bodyguard

 

It’s useful having someone watch over Luka and make sure he doesn’t pick up that 16th tech for no reason. We need him in the run up to the playoffs.

I really like Vando. It’s a shame he just doesn’t have one solid offensive talent. If he could be a lob threat or a corner specialist, he’d be getting game time.

 

I'd rather watch him than Laravia at this point

 

I thought LaRavia had a solid night tonight. Probably his best game in a little while. It doesn't scream out on the box score, but he had a few steals, 6 points and a rebound in the second quarter when the team was struggling.

And then in his second run he got a few offensive rebounds and a steal when we couldn't score. Those were valuable possessions he got us.

 

Except the lakers couldn't score when he was in. Offense completely stalled out

 

I didn't watch the game last night, but seems like there was a bit of a blow-up between JJ and Vando.

 

Why do you say this? Anyone else can confirm?

 

There's videos circulating, it wasn't much and not even an altercation. Vando went up to him on a time out (JJ usually goes to the center of the court with the board while players sit), Vando was mad with something and JJ didn't pay him much attention, they exchange a few words and JJ leaves him talking. I think AR got in between at some point just so it didn't escalate.

Then moments later, JJ is sitted in the bench and Vando goes to him again chipping more words, they argue a bit but nothing much, Nate McMillan gets in between and the video ended. As per Andy from Kambrothers, he didn't play after it.

Vando was probably heated with Timme starting. He's been burned by JJ and this was the final straw. I get him, don't think JJ managed him well, he really doesn't like Vando and will never play him consistently. I think it's unfair because Vando always tries hard (one of the problems of this team for years) and yes he has flaws but he's also a top defender in the NBA and a great rebounder. Yes, he is bad defensively but for me it's up to the coach to find a way where he can be passable on offense when he can change games defensively

It is clearly a situation to be resolved in the summer. Won't be easy. He has 2 years more at around 13M with a PO in the last year. Challenge will be to find a team that takes him without a pick attached while getting a rotation player. We may attach one if it's for a starter though, maybe some team bite. Can get us a center while we use cap space to get the 2 starter wings. If we can't get that, we may trade for someone with a longer contract to keep the pick.
I also think Vando can fit well in some teams. He has a low key personality but plays hard and that's sometimes needed in some mid or tanking teams

Trading him can really bump this team though. Him, Gabe and Kleber (and Rui to an extent) were occupying +10M slots while not contributing much on the court. We need to hit on the guys that get those contracts next year


Edit: oh, just saw above that it was actually JJ calling a timeout after the 1st possession on the Q2 to pull Vando out. That's just stupid. JJ loses his temper sometimes. I don't think Vando is the problem of this team and it required this reaction. Ayton and Rui f it up constantly too. It's a team that just lost the season in a game we actively punted. Can't understand this reaction

 

To be fair, JJ benched Ayton for not knowing how to catch a ball and sat Rui for playing soft.

I’m not against tough love, we were missing our best 4 players, so everyone else has to step up with effort.

As for Vando, he isn’t the same defensive menace he was 3-4 years ago. And offensively, he is bad. It’s just not a good fit. If we can I send him to Milwaukee to grease the Giannis trade. They won’t mind taking him on as they won’t be competing for the next half decade if it helps them get a trove of picks and a good young player or two.