Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking down the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League roster
Vander Blue; Guard
Vander Blue may not be a recognizable name to many casual NBA fans; he has appeared in only five NBA games in his career. But, anyone who watched the NBA D-League, and plans to watch the G-League, knows Blue very well.
Blue is the reigning MVP in the Gatorade League. He has been dominating the G-League for the past three seasons for the Lakers affiliate, the L.A. Defenders, who are now recognized as the South Bay Lakers. In his MVP season, Blue averaged 24.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
Those stats are actually a drop-off from his performance during the 2015-16 season. That season, Blue averaged 26.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game. It is no doubt that Blue is talented, as he has dominated the G-League; he will now look to make an impression in Summer League and try latching on with the Lakers or another NBA team.
Blue’s strength is scoring the ball. As evident from his stats, he can fill it up. The Lakers could be in the market for some scoring punch off the bench with Lou Williams being traded at the NBA trade deadline last season.
Could Blue be an option to fill that role? If he performs in the Summer League as he has in the G-League, the Lakers, or another team, will definitely take notice.