Rather, it’s usually the power forward flying through the air to grab another rebound. There was plenty of film to cut from Wednesday’s victory over Milwaukee.
Making his first start of the season, Vanderbilt finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds — six of which came on the offensive glass — in 30 minutes, while also being tasked with guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Vanderbilt’s effort and energy keyed a team that had put forth consecutive lackluster performances prior to the road upset.
“He played a complete game. He really did,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said.
He also perfectly complemented Minnesota’s starting lineup, which features ample scoring with the likes of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. Vanderbilt does everything else on the floor. He defends, rebounds and hustles. He makes sense on the floor to start the game.
“It felt great. Going in, my mindset was do what I do, play hard, bring energy, defend, rebound and stuff like that,” Vanderbilt said. “Got us off to a great start and we finished in good fashion, as well.”
Finch thought Minnesota needed size and physicality, so he called on Vanderbilt. Because you know exactly what you’re going to get when you call on Vanderbilt. He knows exactly who he is and what his responsibilities are on the floor. That, Finch said, is 90 percent of the battle with getting better in the NBA — understanding the type of player you are and what you do and sticking to your strengths.
“I would say the biggest part about being successful and surviving this league is knowing your role and just doing it well,” Vanderbilt said. “Obviously, as a young player, you want to grow your game and continue to get better each year. But you’ve got to have a basic foundation of who you are as a player, and I felt like over the years I kind of established that myself as being a great energy guy, rebounding, defender, make my staple.”
That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to expand his skillset, but he does want to make an impact right now in the best way possible. Finch said the path to being an offensive rebounder is running in every single play. Vanderbilt goes in every single time, knowing that’s what he’s on the floor to do.
“And then he’s got great athleticism, great timing, great pursuit, multiple efforts,” Finch said.
Vanderbilt doing all the dirty work doesn’t go unnoticed by his teammates. He’s Edwards’ favorite player on the roster.
“I love to see him succeed, man,” Edwards said. “He helps us tremendously. I can’t even describe it. I’m just happy for him.”
As the team’s lone true power forward, and the one man who can take rebounding and interior defensive pressure off Towns on a nightly basis, Vanderbilt’s value to the Timberwolves is revealing itself more and more.
“It just takes the pressure off all of us,” Russell said, “so a lot of credit to him.”
The Link LonkOctober 30, 2021 at 08:32AM
https://www.pinejournal.com/sports/basketball/7261189-Timberwolves%E2%80%99-Jarred-Vanderbilt-does-all-the-little-things
Timberwolves' Jarred Vanderbilt does all the little things - Pine Journal
https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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