Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Standouts from Las Vegas Summer League
By Tony Thai
Vander Blue
Four years removed from college, Vander Blue is still fighting for a roster spot on an NBA team.
He’s played five games in the NBA and has spent most of his time in the G-League. Last year for the Los Angeles D-Fenders (now South Bay Lakers), Blue won the MVP of the league. He averaged 24.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3 assists in 47 games.
His performance in Summer League gradually improved and had Laker fans wondering if he should get a roster spot. Blue drives to the basket with ease, drawing fouls and finishing well at the rim. He can shoot the ball and come up in clutch moments.
In seven games, Blue averaged 15 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3 assists for the Lakers. He scored over 20 points three times and scored a high of 27 points in a game against the Brooklyn Nets.
While it’s not a doubt he can score, a big negative with his game is being a ball-stopper or black hole on offense. In the first couple of games, he would only look to score himself instead of passing the ball for a better shot. In the Summer League, this may work but the NBA is a whole other level.
However, as the games went on, Blue began to cool off on the hero-ball and play with the team. It looked like he bought into the system the Lakers were running. Maybe Lonzo Ball influenced him. Now looking to make the right plays, Blue made some great passes and highlight-reel assists.
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Blue showed off what he can do. He played a part in the Lakers’ road to being champions this summer. Now with a Summer League Championship on his resume, with highlights to prove it, it’s time for Blue to try to make the jump to the NBA. He deserves a chance on an NBA team when training camps begin.