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Los Angeles Lakers: Vander Blue has earned a spot in the NBA

By Shereen Rayan

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Vander Blue #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Gerald Beverly #36 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 13, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 94-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Vander Blue #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Gerald Beverly #36 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 13, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 94-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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It’s time for Vander Blue to get an NBA contract, if not with the Los Angeles Lakers, with some team.

The Los Angeles Lakers NBA Summer League team is going to the finals, and Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma are a huge part of the success. But so is Vander Blue, what else can he do to please the NBA world?

Blue, the former Marquette player, has played for three years in the G-League for the South Bay Lakers (formerly the D-Fenders). In those three years, Blue started in 155 of the 171 games he has played in. He racked up 4,024 regular season points averaging 44.2% shooting and made 283 three-pointers shooting 35.5% from outside. Add to that 1,073 free-throws at almost 80% efficiency.

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On the South Bay Lakers, Blue played the two-spot, not point guard, that position was played mostly by Josh Magette, the new Atlanta Hawk who signed a two-way contract before Summer League began. Blue can also play the one but if he does it is usually because his coach wants him to drive to the basket, draw fouls and make layups.

So far in summer league, Vander is shooting with 48.5% accuracy from the field and 40.9% of his three-pointers with a total of 100 points (14.3 average), 21 assists (2.6 average). 35 rebounds (3.6 average) and six steals (.9 average). But it is not just these stats that are impressive, he has come off the bench as well as started, and he gets the buckets when they are necessary to win a game.

Magic Johnson is pleasantly surprised by Blue‘s clutch performances in Summer League play. “And Vander Blue, I’m really surprised, he’s been playing really good.”

Blue has proved clutch in multiple games, and the media has been paying attention:

With everyone salivating over Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma, and for a good reason, it was Vander Blue who scored the most points against the Brooklyn Nets in the tournament. Blue helped the Lakers beat the Nets 115-106.

Chicago’s legend Dwayne Wade is a fan of Blue’s, and he’s not the only fan:

And for those of you who feel he hogs the ball, here are a few assists to help you understand he doesn’t, and if he does, it’s because his coaches want him too. Blue is a team player, he does what his team needs him to do, and in the G-League, that was come from behind many times to beat opponents mostly by driving to the basket and getting fouled.

Here is a sample of what you often hear from fans who continue to think about Vander Blue from years ago, and have not studied his game recently. I include my and Chris Mimm (Sportsnet broadcast) response.

As a fan, you are going to assume that’s all he is capable of if you haven’t been watching him for a few years because when he drives to the basket, gets the bucket, gets fouled and lands belly down sliding under the basket, and it’s fantastic. That’s what you remember..but do you remember these assists?

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/886741539174600708

Blue is a great teammate and a coachable player. There is not a teammate I spoke to over the course of two seasons covering the D-Fenders that Blue wasn’t complimented and highly favored by his coaches and teammates. He is doing a great job at fitting in with these new Lakers, and if you pay attention, he and Lonzo frequently talk on the bench and the court.

Here’s Blue’s latest post-game interview, he fits in with this team, he excels with this team, and this team needs him to win games. Basketball is not an individual sport. It is a team sport. Lonzo cannot score assists if no one he passes the ball too gets the bucket, right?

Next: Four reasons the Lakers can make the NBA Playoffs

I honestly don’t know what else Blue can do? NBA, what can Blue do for you? Everything, you just need to sign him to a contract, he’s earned it and will leave everything on the floor for you, I promise you, just ask Lakers assistant coach Casey Owens or South Bay Lakers head coach Coby Karl or any of his teammates from the last three years. It’s Vander’s birthday tomorrow, wouldn’t a Summer League Championship and a signed contract be an excellent birthday gift for one of my favorite basketball players!

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