A Wild Ride for Jarred with the Lakers…
Jarred Vanderbilt definitely had a year that could be summed up as “two feet forward, one step back.” Recovering from double foot surgery, the Lakers forward had more difficulty staying on the court than convincing pigeons to do algebra. Making his debut on January 25, he played in just 36 games instead of becoming a full set of flashcards for coach JJ Redick. While his offense was as elusive as a winning lottery ticket, Vanderbilt still brought his tireless defensive energy once he returned.
Offensively, Vanderbilt’s shooting percentage from deep would give a pro golfer nightmares, sinking just 28.8% from beyond the arc. His challenges finishing at the rim were as fierce as trying to wrestle a porcupine barehanded. Head Coach JJ Redick found it challenging to keep him in the game for long stretches, averaging just 16 minutes, though the important takeaway was that Vanderbilt finished the season in good health. With a healthy offseason ahead, the Lakers are eager to see if next year, perhaps his time on court becomes as solid as a sumo wrestler’s suntan.
