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Lakers: Getting to Know D-Fenders’ Two Time All-Star Vander Blue

By Shereen Rayan

Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Derrick Williams (13) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Vander Blue (12) and center Robert Sacre (50) in the second half during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Derrick Williams (13) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Vander Blue (12) and center Robert Sacre (50) in the second half during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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D-Fenders’ star shooting guard Vander Blue has played on the Lakers before, and he hopes to make it back with faith and perseverance.

Prior to last Sunday’s game against the Oklahoma City Blues, Los Angeles D-Fenders’ star shooting guard Vander Blue and power forward Justin Harper had just found out that they both earned spots on the NBA All-Star D-League team.

However, one thing must be stated: the difference between the D-League All-Star team and the NBA All-Star team is simple, one is a popularity contest, and the other is based on your performance.

Blue has been invited to play on the D-League All-Star team once before but he opted first to discuss his idol’s last NBA All-Star game.

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“Kobe has been one of my favorite players for a long time. I remember when he had the afro and the number eight, I used to watch him. He’s one of the main reasons I started playing.”

Due to Kobe’s injuries, although he didn’t get any time with The Black Mamba when he was a Laker, he had always wished he would have.

Maybe he could get some time with him at the All-Star weekend events?

"I am not sure how they are going to do it. Being on the Lakers last season, I really never got to talk to him. So, I would just love to have the opportunity to talk to him and just pick his brain a little bit. It’s Kobe though; he’s probably going to have a million other things going on then to talk to me."

When asked how he felt about being named to the D-League All-Star game, he went on to say,

"It’s a blessing, I am just grateful and thankful at the same time just to be in the conversation. I am really looking forward to it, I’m blessed to have the chance to go to the show two years in a row. I think it’s good for the organization. I’m just really looking forward to the whole weekend just having fun and enjoying the whole experience."

Being the humble player that he is, Blue went on,

"My teammates help me a lot too. I might come out hot, making my shots and may miss my next five. But I give all my credit to God, this is all God’s work, God’s plan — So I just make sure I just believe in myself and I believe in God. So I know when it comes down to crunch time, my teammates depending on me, and the same shots I shoot every day I just believe in myself I will knock them down."

Profound.

We dug a little deeper to find out if he had any pre-game rituals, “Before every game before I step on the court I say a prayer, and before I even come out of the locker room, I say a prayer every single day.”

When asked specifically about that prayer he recited, “God let me be great, let me be exactly what you want me to be, with you everything is possible, without you nothing is.”

Maybe the Lakers could adopt this pregame prayer as well, they can use all the help they can get!

Next: LA D-Fenders Beat Oklahoma City Blue, Vander Blue Shines

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