Lakers News: This LA Great Inspired Jarred Vanderbilt's Game

Forward Jarred Vanderbilt is ready to take that next step this season for the Los Angeles Lakers, and he wants to show that he is worth the extension that the team recently gave to him. LA signed him to an extension for four years that is worth $48 million.

Vanderbilt was a key member of the Lakers team last season that went to the Western Conference Finals, and now he wants to help them get over the hump. He brings energy, defense and hustle to the table, which is something that LA has been lacking in recent years.

He was played off the court during the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets because of his limitations on offense. But he has worked this offseason on his shooting, and he wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

During a recent appearance on the Run Your Race podcast, Vanderbilt was asked who he modeled his game after, and he answered by saying that a former Lakers fan favorite was an inspiration.

“For me, it was really Penny (Hardaway). I grew up watching a lot of Penny. And really, like, Lamar Odom. Those were two guys I was kind of modeling my game after at the time. Just big guards that can pretty much do everything with the rock: dribble, pass, shoot, whatever. Those are two guys I was kind of modeling my game after at the time.”

Per Jarred Vanderbilt

Odom makes so much sense for how Vanderbilt plays. They both have a similar body type, and they hustle on every play. Odom was a favorite of the Lakers during his time with the team, and he was a big reason why they won two titles while he was with the organization.

Game recognize game🤝🏾, always appreciate it when the youngbulls show love for the work I put in. Especially coming from a laker that’s a lefty 🏀@vando @TidalLeague https://t.co/IUTDawBRFk
— LAMAR ODOM (@LamarOdom) September 19, 2023

If Vanderbilt is able to start knocking down three-point shots consistently this coming year, as Odom used to, then the Lakers will have gotten a steal of a contract. He is already a valuable piece to their team this season, and any offense he can provide will be a huge bonus for them.

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