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Jarred Vanderbilt is Back!

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Jarred Vanderbilt to a contract extension, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. 

After joining Los Angeles via trade from the Utah Jazz on Feb. 9, Vanderbilt (6’9”, 214) appeared in 26 games (24 starts) and averaged 7.2 points (52.9 FG%), 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 24.1 minutes per contest to end the 2022-23 regular season. Overall, Vanderbilt suited up in 78 games (65 starts) with the Lakers and Jazz last season, averaging 7.9 points (54.8 FG%), 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.1 minutes per game. During the 2023 NBA Playoffs with the purple and gold, the 24-year-old saw action in 15 games (13 starts) and averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per contest.&nbsp;

Across five professional NBA seasons, Vanderbilt has appeared in 244 career games (162 starts) suiting up for Los Angeles (2022-23), Utah (2022-23), Minnesota (2019-22) and Denver (2018-20). The Texas native owns career averages of 6.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.6 minutes per game, shooting 57.3 percent overall from the field. In postseason action, Vanderbilt has appeared in 24 career games (19 starts) for the Lakers (2022-23), Timberwolves (2021-22) and Nuggets (2018-19), posting averages of 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.&nbsp;

Vanderbilt was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 41st overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft after one collegiate season (2017-18) at the University of Kentucky. In his lone campaign with the Wildcats, Vanderbilt averaged 5.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.0 minutes per contest.&nbsp;

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Jarred Vanderbilt to Contract Extension

Mike Trudell

Considering the uphill manner in which Austin Reaves broke into the NBA as an undrafted free agent, the possibility of representing Team USA may not have even been on his radar.&nbsp;

And yet, despite what was ultimately a disappointing 4th-place finish for the team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Reaves proved himself not only deserving of an American roster spot, but depended upon by his coach and teammates at the most crucial times – just as he was throughout the Lakers run to the Western Conference Finals.

Reaves came off the bench behind Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards in the backcourt, but, alongside Tyrese Haliburton, Mikal Bridges, Edwards and a rotating fifth teammate, closed most games.&nbsp;

The 25-year-old ended up with these numbers and ensuing ranks within Team USA:

In the eight games USA played (5-3), including a loss to Canada in a third-place game that saw the Americans miss three players due to illness, Reaves provided a similar type of energy to Coach Steve Kerr’s offense that he did for Darvin Ham against Kerr in the 2023 NBA postseason.&nbsp;

In short: Reaves can be depended upon to create a good shot for himself and convert it at an efficient rate, force his defender to commit a foul, or make the right pass to a teammate.

Reaves also helps in intangible ways, with his basketball IQ showing up from an eye test standpoint, and in terms of plus/minus (+7.6 for the tournament).&nbsp;

On the flip side, he was targeted defensively by some of the opponents with more collective size than this American roster, and with Team USA switching everything and not having much weak side help with big man Jaren Jackson Jr. often limited by foul trouble, that was at times an issue. Of course, having a player like Anthony Davis on the floor would have helped not just Reaves, but any of USA’s guards and wings.

Following Team USA’s semifinal loss to Germany, Reaves told assembled media in the mixed zone that they struggled to “get stops,” and made no excuses.

“Not good enough,” he said. “We lost, so that’s the moral of the day. It’s not good enough.”&nbsp;

Reaves’ disappointment didn’t keep him from being a good friend to former teammate Dennis Schröder, who’d go on to lead Germany to its first World Cup title as the MVP.

Up next for Team USA will be what’s considered the most important international competition historically in this country, the Olympics. That typically means the A Team, as we’ve seen with the Dream Team and the Redeem Team, in past years.&nbsp;

Whether Reaves gets that call with the best of the best American players is to be determined, but he has no shortage of fans within the USA Basketball brain trust after a terrific overall performance in his first time wearing the red, white and blue.

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Reviewing Reaves in Red, White and Blue

The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Vincent Valerio-Bodon and guards Damion Baugh, Bryce Hamilton and Scotty Pippen Jr., it was announced today.&nbsp;

Valerio-Bodon (6’9”, 200) most recently appeared in 30 games (all starts) for Sopron KC of the Hungarian NBIA during the 2022-23 season, averaging 8.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.7 minutes per game while shooting 50.3 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from 3-point range and 87.9 percent from the free-throw line. The 22-year-old previously played for DEAC of the Hungarian NBIA in 2021-22, appearing in 28 games (24 starts) and averaging of 5.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes per game. Valerio-Bodon saw action in one game for the Boston Celtics at 2023 NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas, recording 13 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one block in 25 minutes.&nbsp;

Baugh (6’4”, 194) begins his professional career after spending the past four seasons at TCU (2021-23) and the University of Memphis (2019-21). Collegiately, the Tennessee native appeared in 117 career games (88 starts), registering averages of 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.8 minutes. In his final season as a Horned Frog, Baugh appeared in 29 games (all starts) and averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.0 minutes per game, earning him All-Big 12 Second Team honors. He concluded the season ranked third in the conference in total assists (169) and 13th in the NCAA in assists per game (5.8).&nbsp;

Hamilton (6’4”, 205) appeared in 29 regular season games (27 starts) as a rookie last season for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 28.2 minutes per game. The Pasadena, Calif., native played four collegiate seasons at UNLV (2018-22), appearing in 119 games (69 starts) and averaging 14.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.0 minutes per contest. His career-high 21.8 points per game average as a senior led all conference players. Hamilton earned a spot on three consecutive All-Mountain West conference teams, including two first team selections in 2019-20 and 2021-22.&nbsp;

As a rookie in 2022-23, Pippen Jr. (6’1”, 185) suited up in 19 NBA G League regular season games (four starts) for South Bay, posting averages of 21.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 27.9 minutes per game. The 22-year-old was selected to participate in the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend and was named NBA G League Player of the Week on Dec. 19. Additionally, he appeared in six games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 2.3 points in 5.3 minutes. In three collegiate seasons (2019-22) at Vanderbilt University, he appeared in 90 games (89 starts) and averaged 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.6 minutes. Pippen Jr. earned All-SEC First Team honors following his sophomore and junior campaigns.&nbsp;

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Four Players

The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward/center Christian Wood, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. 

Wood (6’10”, 223) most recently appeared in 67 games (17 starts) with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2022-23 season, averaging 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 blocks in 25.9 minutes per game, while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from 3-point range. Last season, the California native notched 12 double-doubles and scored in double figures in 54 games, including 25 contests scoring 20 or more points. Wood blocked at least one shot in 42 games last season, including 17 games with multiple rejections and two games in which he swatted a season-best five shots.&nbsp;

Across seven NBA seasons with Dallas, Houston (2020-22), Detroit (2019-20), New Orleans (2018-19), Milwaukee (2018-19), Charlotte (2016-17) and Philadelphia (2015-16), the 27-year-old has appeared in 289 career games (139 starts), posting averages of 14.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.2 minutes per contest, while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.&nbsp;

Wood played two collegiate seasons (2013-15) at UNLV, appearing in 63 total games (34 starts) and averaging 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game.&nbsp;

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Christian Wood

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Getting to Know: Cam Reddish

The Gods of basketball grew more skilled, smart and Spanish on Saturday evening in Springfield, Mass., when they welcomed Pau Gasol into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

“What a night, what a moment,” began the soft-spoken seven-footer that partnered with Kobe Bryant to lead the Lakers to back-to-back NBA titles in 2009 and 2010. “Wow. I stand before you with immense pride and gratitude as I humbly accept this huge honor of being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. This moment is a testament to the support, guidance and inspiration I have received from so many throughout my basketball journey.”

Ever a classy individual, Gasol started by thanking those that helped make him who he’s become.

“So many people have contributed to me being here, but no one like my family,” he said. “My dear parents, who introduced me to the game of basketball; they both played at an amateur level, but they played. Thank you so much for all your teachings, for your support, for your love; never missing a game, never missing a practice, taking me to practices after your work. You’ve inspired me; your commitment, your effort, your sacrifices have fueled me and motivated me. Thank you mom and dad, I love you so very much.”

Gasol went on to thank all of the players and coaches that came before him for paving the way and building “this amazing league,” taking note to name the European players like his presenter, Toni Kukoc, that inspired him as a kid.&nbsp;

And yet, perhaps his greatest inspiration came from Americans like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson and the 1992 Dream team, who won Olympic gold in Pau’s native Barcelona when he was 12 years old.

“I started playing basketball when I was a kid, when I was seven years old, just having fun with friends at school with my classmates … but then 1992 happened,” he explained. “I was 12, it changed my life. The Dream Team showed us how basketball could be played; it made me dream of playing at that level, playing with the best of the best. And that launched, really, an incredible growth in the sport internationally. And the 2023 class* is a true testament of that. So, thank you to the Dream Team of 1992, and to those European teams that competed against them … you know, didn’t do so well, but, you know, it is what it is, they were pretty good.”*German Dirk Nowitzki and Frenchman Tony Parker joined Gasol in the Class of 2023.

Gasol noted his pride for his years in Memphis, setting a foundation for a successful franchise, but focused on his glory years as a Laker, which began with a phone call from the Memphis GM on Feb. 1, 2008.

“Chris Wallace calls me into his office and gives me the news that I was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers … that obviously changed my life and my career,” said Pau. “I know some people in the league were upset about the trade, but it happened. And that’s where I got to know the person that elevated my game like no other; who taught me what it took to win at the highest level. Who showed me how hard you have to work, and the mentality that you needed to have in order to be the best. The commitment you have to make. What it meant, and what it took to be a leader. Kobe.”

Late into the night that Gasol joined the Lakers, prior to a game against Washington set for noon the next day, Kobe all but insisted to come to Pau’s room well after midnight, needing to see the Spaniard when he arrived to the hotel.&nbsp;

“He wanted to make sure that right away, first hand, I got the message: ‘Welcome to the team, I’m happy you’re here, now let’s go win a championship together’,” Gasol recalled. “So I said, ‘OK, all right, I’m in, man.’ That was it. No crap. Straight to the chase.”

Gasol debuted in Purple and Gold a few days later against New Jersey, scoring 24 points on 10 of 15 shooting with 12 boards and four assists. The Lakers would go on to win the Western Conference that year, and the subsequent two seasons, which was no coincidence with the Gasol acquisition.&nbsp;

Of course, it was very difficult for Gasol to have his Hall of Fame enshrinement moment without Kobe, whom he and the world lost on January 26, 2020.

“I wouldn’t be here without you brother,” Gasol said through teary eyes. “I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here with us. I miss you and love you. Thank you Vanessa for being here tonight. I’m proud to be your brother. And an Uncle to your wonderful girls. I love you guys so very much.”

To his Lakers teammates, after naming nearly all of them, including Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and more, Gasol then added: “I’m so grateful to all of you. I hope that you take this honor that I’m receiving today as part of your own. Without you, I couldn’t have done it.”&nbsp;

Gasol ended his NBA career with six All-Star appearances and made the All-NBA team three times in his 17 seasons (Second Team in 2011; Third Team in 2009 and 2010), with career averages of 17.0 points (50.7 percent field goals), 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks and 0.5 steals in 33.4 minutes per game. The Lakers retired Gasol’s No. 16 in March, just to the right of Kobe’s No. 24.

“Of course you cannot understand my career and me as a player without my national team, La Familia … for me, representing my country was a big deal, such a privilege,” Pau said.&nbsp;

To conclude his speech, Gasol offered a message from which we can all benefit:

“To whom much is given, much is required. I truly believe it. Those values, the pursuit of excellence, the drive to succeed, the love of family, the recognition to give back, the power of empathy: instilled by my parents, both working in healthcare, honed by Kobe, always wanting to be extraordinary and epic; and encouraged and supported by my beautiful wife and family. They’re the reason I’m committed to working to make a bigger difference in our world. And I want to encourage you all to continue to find ways to join efforts, to team up, so our impact can be much larger. We have a unique opportunity to do so. Thank you all very much. Muchas gracias.”

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Pau Gasol Welcomed into the NBA Hall of Fame

Taylor Geas

It's weird, lifting someone to immortalization, someone who seems so...grounded.&nbsp;

But then again—generals are remembered just the same as emperors. &nbsp;

Pau Gasol, as kind and genuine, as human as he is, is also legendary&nbsp;and he is about to be a Hall of Famer. &nbsp;

This past March on the night his jersey was going to be floating up into the rafters, the&nbsp;tunnel in Crypto.com Arena was understandably lined with media. There were so many wires on the ground, and they acted as a barrier for the people who were holding the cameras they were attached to. &nbsp;

Pau was running about 20 minutes late that night; the L.A. traffic spares no one, not even two-time&nbsp;NBA champions. &nbsp;

The anticipation of Pau’s arrival cultivated a serene silence. There were soft whispers of introductions here and there, but overall, everyone maintained a heightened focus on&nbsp;the corner of the hallway where Gasol would soon emerge. &nbsp;

When he did, there was a stir of energy, clicks of cameras, shuffling feet, glares of lighting equipment. Then the wires lifted and swayed and the bodies they belonged to filed into a&nbsp;group that followed behind No. 16. &nbsp;&nbsp;

He was wearing a navy-blue suit, with a light lavender shirt, an eggplant-colored tie, and his championship rings on each hand. He walked with a glide, like the floor was moving with him. And if you happened to come into his line of sight, it didn’t feel like panic, like “Oh my God, my favorite athlete is right in front of me, I’m going to lose my mind.” When you looked into his eyes, it felt like when you see a familiar face in a crowded room; it felt reassuring. &nbsp;

The feeling is reminiscent of the scene in Gladiator when Maximus Decimus Meridius and the swordsmen&nbsp;battle the barbarians at the Colosseum—Pau’s Lakers teammates actually deemed him the Spaniard, inspired by Maximus—Maximus and his men stand in the center of the arena, dressed from head to toe in their armor, completely unsure of what’s about to come out of the gates that surround&nbsp;them on all sides. There was a serene silence among them too. &nbsp;

Then Maximus calmly explains, “Any of you ever been in the army?&nbsp;You can help me.&nbsp;Whatever comes out of these gates, we’ve got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? We stay together, we survive.” &nbsp;

And even as the chariots spun around them&nbsp;and arrows struck from every direction, penetrating their shields and penetrating their men, Maximus didn’t flinch and his voice didn’t falter, “Come together. Stay close. As one,” he said. He didn’t stop reassuring them. &nbsp;

The obvious similarity between Maximus and Pau is they are both natives of Spain, yes, but it’s more than that. It’s more than the fact Pau could finish at the rim with both hands as Maximus could maneuver his sword with both as well. The nickname really resonates because they share a likeness of character, an inner strength fed by a deep morality. Both men are equally strong and fearless, and devoted and full of love.&nbsp;

And interestingly, again like Maximus, Pau’s strength was contested. A subject that was used to question Gasol’s basketball prowess was his kind nature.&nbsp;

But rebounds and blocked shots are tough guy numbers, and the seven-footer was proficient on the boards and an above-average shot blocker. He averaged 1.7 per game in his career, along with 17 points. 9.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Pau is just the 36th player in NBA History to reach&nbsp;10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds.&nbsp;

He was a big man with a guard-like vision, perfectly equipped to run the Lakers' fast break from time to time. Let us never forget his behind-the-back, through-the-legs dime to Trevor Ariza in 2009.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Instead of mauling the rim and roaring from high above to assert his dominance on offense, he chose a more subtle way to inflict suffering;&nbsp;he produced some of the most inventive passes, playing from both the high and low post, and giving his teammates opportunities for easy buckets. The only seven-footers who have more assists than him are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain.&nbsp;&nbsp;

But because Pau didn’t play like a traditional big man, there were some people who called him soft. &nbsp;

Why do we even talk about athletes that way?&nbsp;So what if a player is a better fit as a general than a soldier—you need both to win the war.&nbsp;

And if you want to talk about taking over in battle, if you want to talk about winning the war, let’s talk about Pau Gasol in the Playoffs. &nbsp;

Over the course of his six-and-a-half seasons as a Laker, Pau propelled the Purple and Gold to victory in the battles of Game Sevens three different times: In 2009 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Houston Rockets, in the Western Conference First Round of 2012 against the Denver Nuggets, and most notably in the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. &nbsp;

Funnily enough, the 2010 Finals share some semblance to the final battle between&nbsp;Maximus and Rome’s tyrannical emperor, Commodus; it was riddled with revenge. &nbsp;

Two years prior, the Lakers conceded to Boston after six games in the Finals. &nbsp;

The title was going to be theirs; it was dangerously in reach, they were going to be on their way home, but a historic Game Four comeback by the Celtics changed the trajectory of the series. &nbsp;

In 2010, Pau was back in the arena and there was only one ending to this&nbsp;battle he would accept. He notched a double-double, 19 points and 18 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks—and the Lakers lifted their 16th championship banner. &nbsp;

It's these attributes&nbsp;that lifted Pau to the Hall of Fame. But they are not the things that&nbsp;prove his strength. No. &nbsp;

Pau is strong because of the way he has loved and protected the Bryant family in Kobe’s absence. &nbsp;

He's strong because he champions women to be seen and heard and respected in sports. In a 2018 Players’ Tribune article, Pau addressed the controversial topic of female coaches in the NBA, specifically Becky Hammon. He wrote: &nbsp;

“...I’ve been in the NBA for 17 years. I’ve won two championships … I’ve played with some of the best players of this generation … and I’ve played under two of the sharpest minds in the history of sports, in Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich. And I’m telling you: Becky Hammon&nbsp;can coach.&nbsp;I’m not saying she can coach&nbsp;pretty well.&nbsp;I’m not saying she can coach&nbsp;enough to get by. I’m not saying she can coach&nbsp;almost&nbsp;at the level of the NBA’s male coaches. I’m saying: Becky Hammon can coach NBA basketball. Period.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

And at this year’s NBA All-Star Game, the six-time All-Star was the recipient of The Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award for his considerable&nbsp;contributions to the advancement of girls' and women’s basketball, and his continued advocacy for the WNBA; advocacy that extends to equity, he is also&nbsp;an investor in the WNBA’s recent capital raise. &nbsp;

He’s strong because of the way he makes people believe in themselves. &nbsp;

As a European player, Pau went No. 3 in the NBA Draft. This was unheard of and heavily speculated, the only other top-five European pick was Rik Smits in the 1988 Draft at No. 2. Many believed European players shouldn't go top five because the top five picks are&nbsp;reserved for franchise players, and they believed that Euro players wouldn’t have what it takes. But look how many European players are chosen high in the draft now and elevate their&nbsp;team—just as Pau had done. &nbsp;

His strength is marked by so many things. &nbsp;

All Pau Gasol has done in his life is going to&nbsp;echo in eternity—on and off the court. &nbsp;

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The Spaniard Enters the Hall of Fame

Game Time Update: The start time for the preseason game on 10/15 at Crypto.com Arena has been moved to 4pm PT