Minnesota Sports Forum

Vando's emergence as a starter on this team begs revival of this thread...kudos to Q for first renting the bandwagon that most of us have gradually jumped on.

Vando's best strength was on display last night...offensive rebounding. I've said it many times, but it bears repeating...there's not an offensive board that he doesn't think is in play. 7 offensive boards last night in just 25 minutes! And how many more offensive possessions that he kept alive while not getting credited with the rebound?

I didn't realize it until Jim Pete mentioned last night his remarkable improvement at the free throw line (upon which Vando promptly missed one)). I know it's a small sample size, but how does a 60% free thrower (in the pros and in college) suddenly become an 86% guy? I hope the answer is practice, practice, practice, and that the results are sustainable, because with most of his shots being at the rim, he is going to get a lot of chances at the line.

And then there is his defense. I know defensive stats are messy, but his team-leading DRtg of 100 is ten points better than last year (when I appreciated his energy on D, but not always the results), and definitely is supported by the eye test. Take a look at PatBev's comments last night about Vando's D, where he mentions him in the same breath with Kawhi and PG13. How do you think comments like that from a respected guy like Beverley makes the young guy feel?

I love Jaden and have advocated for him to start (and I expect he will again if/when PatBev gets hurt), but there's no question Vando belongs in the starting lineup ahead of Jaden. And when he is out there with Pat and Jaden, I'll rank our defense up there with any in the league. (Necessary disclaimer...at least against the injury-ridden teams we have been facing. Let's hope they keep it up when we start facing better competition).

Loving Vando these days!

I was always Vanderbilt's biggest fan... from the very beginning.

All aboard the Q Vando Bus!!!!!

Love it! He's been a big factor in this stretch of great play, that's for sure. And here's the thing...he's still only 22 and has some skills that I don't think have been put on full display yet.

Q12543 wrote:Love it! He's been a big factor in this stretch of great play, that's for sure. And here's the thing...he's still only 22 and has some skills that I don't think have been put on full display yet.

Yep, for instance his hands and free throwing seem to be getting better as well as his defense, and he continues to be an A+ rebounder.

I hope Jaden seizes the opportunity and this becomes our starting lineup. He has to earn it, but would love to start all that length and bring Beverly off the bench.

NBA league-leaders in steal % + block % (min. 400 minutes):

1. Myles Turner - 6.2%
2. Rudy Gobert - 4.9%
3. Jaren Jackson Jr. - 4.9%
4. Jarred Vanderbilt - 4.7%
5. Anthony Davis - 4.6%

Vando's grabbed 10 or more rebounds in eight of his last nine games. Looks like Baby Worm is coming alive.

Man. I love it when my predictions come true.

I still remember arguing with Q. He kept talking about how Vanderbilt really didn't have a place in today's NBA and his lack of offensive polish would limit his game, effectively making him irrelevant and mostly a waste of a roster spot. I even remember him freaking out about the Wolves keeping Vanderbilt over Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

That Jeff-Adrien-loving clown sure looks foolish now.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:Man. I love it when my predictions come true.

I still remember arguing with Q. He kept talking about how Vanderbilt really didn't have a place in today's NBA and his lack of offensive polish would limit his game, effectively making him irrelevant and mostly a waste of a roster spot. I even remember him freaking out about the Wolves keeping Vanderbilt over Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

That Jeff-Adrien-loving clown sure looks foolish now.

Heh. Nice.

Vanderbilt is playing the role we need him to almost perfectly: Defense, rebounding, smart kick-outs to open shooters, etc. Love it! Now we need our shooters to shoot better so he doesn't have so many damn offensive boards to go try and get to begin with!