Jarred Vanderbilt Discussion: The Vandalorian

I like JJ and supported his hiring. I am a little concerned with his decision making and even more so, his lack of vision. A coach has to be able to look into the future and he doesn't seem to have that yet.

 

why is a 6'9" 26 year old finishing at the rim about how i did as a 5'10" 33 year old?

 

I’m not as down on him as most, but it doesn’t matter what I think.
JJ doesn’t like him at all so it wouldn’t even matter if he’s developed into Hakeem down low. He won’t see any burn unless things go really poorly in the injury department.

 

Yeah nothing about the movement, handles, or finishing looks like an NBA players. I’m not trying to hate on Vando, but that clip was just weird.

 

I hope he's moving at 1/3 speed cause that was rough.

 

…. maybe needs a better trainer?

 

Eat real meat Vegando

 

You're being a bit harsh, training has different intensity and complexity levels. We don't know which stage was the video taken.
He'll never be a good offensive player, there's a touch and feeling that is untrainable, imo. But if he can get a little bit better gradually, it will help his career.

One thing going well for him is having Kessler. He played better with AD because it fits him better to have a rim protector instead of a heavy switching scheme that quickly takes him out of on-ball defense and he needs to rely on more collective defense that he's worse at.

I also think people forget so quickly. Everyone was happy with this contract when it was signed, I think he is the only 4 year contract we signed in the last 5 years or so. Can't remember the previous one until this summer, bar Bronny lol
And that was because he was really good for us when he got here. He had Smart-level impact on defense, causing havoc instantly and completely changing games with his defense. Between that and being this "can't play in the NBA version" there's a ton of levels he can stabilize on.

JJ also needs to think strategically regarding team construction. He is one of the few assets (due to his contract number) that we can use this or next year to get a clear upgrade in our roster and find a top7 role player in our championship build. So if we can't trade him in the summer, it's on JJ to find a way to rebuild his value, so that near the deadline or next summer he's not seen as a pure salary dump but more as a guy some team can take a flier as a low-risk high-reward bet.

There's a big difference between being a contract any team just wants to let expiring vs "he has some potential to make our team so let's see what he has and decide later". You still send seconds or swaps to get rid of him but the other team is more willing to do it and you can get a better player in the process

 

Vando is not a good shooter but that doesn't mean he can't play enough of a role on offense to stay on the floor to help us with his defense. Slasher, on and off ball screens, back doors, offensive rebounds. Work him in his own version or the Rodman role. Even if just to build his trade value but in imo there a lot more there than we are using. Another JJ failing if he can't find a way to use the talents Vando has. This along with his poor youth development is a bad look.

 

Vando is going to be out of the league after this contract if something doesn’t change.

 

I don't buy that all. He's great defensively, motor and rebounding. That's 3 skills important in today's NBA. He's a stable locker presence too which is relevant. Also still young.
His offensive flaws are too big, true, but I can't see why he wouldn't fit as 3rd string bench option at the vet min in a few teams.

 

I think the memory of Vando’s defense when he first arrived is overshadowing the current state. He still has a motor but he just is not the same guy. Whether it’s injuries or adding a little bulk slowed him down, he’s not a lockdown defender.

And even if those are meant to be lower intensity offensive drills, for a player who gets blocked at the rim at an incredibly high rate, practicing reverse layups that you’re releasing almost from your hip is not sound.

I’ve seen guys take low intensity rips to refine footwork, form, etc. This video looked clunky and attempts that will get blocked every time.