Lakers News: LA Coaches Praise Jarred Vanderbilt For Hardest Defensive Assignment In Warriors Series
Going into the Lakers' second-round series against the Golden State Warriors, the question was, 'Who is going to guard Stephen Curry?'
The answer to that question was answered immediately as the Lakers trade deadline acquisition Jarred Vanderbilt was responsible for that assignment. No one will ever stop a great talent like Curry, but you can make him work, and that's what Vanderbilt did in Game 1.
The hustle, determination, and can-do attitude were phenomenal from the 24-year-old forward. Everyone noticed, including LA's assistant coach Phil Handy, who was in awe of Jarred's effort.
“Vanderbilt has been major for us since he’s been here [and] has taken the tough defensive assignments. He’s an unbelievable athlete to guard Ja and Steph at his height. His energy and activity are at an elite level.“You’re not going to stop Ja and Stephen, but the ability to use size, length and quickness and make it difficult for them makes him an elite defender. Good kid. He was a big part of that trade for us. He just really changed the dynamic of our defense.”
It's no easy assignment to guard one of the greatest basketball players to ever live, but Vando did his best. The only thing you can ask for is to make a player like Curry work for his buckets, and he did just that.
Vando told Marc J. Spears of Andscape about the difficulties of guarding the greatest shooter of all time.
“He’s a hell of a player,” Vanderbilt said of Curry. “He’s even more dangerous without the ball. One second you think you can relax and give it up. That is when you have to lock in the most."
“He’s a tough cover. We have a lot of bodies to throw at him. Starting with me, Dennis, I think everyone did a great job of chasing him around kind of wearing him down and making it hard for him.”
As the series goes on, it's not going to get any easier, but Vando is up for the challenge.
Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!
