The mindset behind Jared Vanderbilt’s improved 3-point shooting

LOS ANGELES – After LeBron James rejoined Los Angeles Lakers‘ lineup after missing the first 14 games of the season with a nerve injury, Jarred Vanderbilt ended up being the odd man out. As the Lakers defense continued to struggle, head coach JJ Reddick had no choice but to put Vanderbilt back in the rotation. But since then, it’s not just Vanderbilt’s defense and energy that’s been key, it is his improvement A 3-point shot that was a big boost for the Lakers.

After the Lakers game last weekend, Jared Vanderbilt talked about his mindset when it comes to his improved 3-point shooting in recent games.

“We have a lot of guys that demand double teams, and they really have a lot of eyes on them. It’s just being able to space the floor, finish and just prove an outlet for them,” Vanderbilt said. “Just keep moving forward and working at it. I know I’m going to have a chance to shoot them, so I just have to be ready to shoot them and let it fly.”

In the first half of the Lakers’ Christmas Day showdown with the Houston Rockets, Vanderbilt was 2 of 2 on 3-point shots from the corner, both of which came in front of the Rockets bench. Including the Lakers’ Christmas game, Vanderbilt has gone 6-of-11 (54.5 percent) from 3-point range since returning to the rotation.

Over the past five games, Vanderbilt is taking about 2.2 long-range attempts. His shooting is a big difference from earlier in the season. Before losing his spot in the rotation, he knocked down just four 3-pointers on 14 attempts (28.6 percent) in 13 games. This recent set of games has been Vanderbilt’s most consistent stretch of good shooting since being traded to the Lakers at the 2023 trade deadline.

Overall, he appeared in 19 games, including two starts, with just over 18 minutes per game. His season averages include 4.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 42.3 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from 3-point range and 76 percent from the free throw line.

So far, Vanderbilt is taking about 1.3 attempts from 3-point range per game. That would tie the career mark originally set during the second half of the 2023-23 season, when he was originally traded to the Lakers. Even when he wasn’t playing, Vanderbilt was a consistent watcher on the bench where and how he could help the team.

“Even though I wasn’t in the rotation, I was still engaged, watching games, watching film, even just part of practice and group film,” Vanderbilt said. “Just knowing where I can impact the game and find my spots. I’m still reintegrating. .every game I’m getting a better feel. Just finding my spots on the floor and just trying to find ways to make an impact.”