Lakers Injury Report: LeBron James Speaks On Teammate's Improving Health

LeBron James has high praise for this player.

Coming off of two big wins against the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder, Lakers basketball is back. 

Much of the team's success in the past two games can be attributed to the improved health of Jarred Vanderbilt, who was a key piece of their Western Conference Finals squad last season. 

Vando's 6-foot-8 frame and 7-foot-1 wingspan provide major advantages on the defensive side of the ball, as he's capable of disrupting lanes, and blocking/altering shots at a high level. 

Vanderbilt opened the season hurt, battling bursitis in his heel. He missed quite a bit of time, but even after coming back, he looked a step slower. 

Darvin Ham recently referred to Vanderbilt as being "back in game shape," which LeBron James recently expanded on: 

LeBron on the looking-healthier Jarred Vanderbilt of late: “His activity alone helps our ball club … he’s starting to get healthier and healthier … his quick twitch … rebounding, defending, picking up full court, you can’t do that with a bad heel.”

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 18, 2024

James breaks it down perfectly, as he walks through everything Vanderbilt is capable of doing, while also explaining how his bursitis curtailed his overall impact. 

His twitch, rebounding, defending, explosiveness, and specifically, his ability to pick up full court, which we saw him doing versus Luka Doncic and the Mavericks on Wednesday night, were sorely missed during his absence. 

Fully healthy now, Vando has the ability to swing games on the defensive side of the ball. His offense remains a concern, as he's not a good shooter and does little, if any with the ball in his hands, which caps the amount of time he can be on the floor. 

That said, his athleticism is huge in that it allows him to be an off-ball threat as a cutter. The Lakers' offense is a bit rudimentary and Vando doesn't move off the ball a whole lot, but when he does, and if he were to more, he can attack gaps in the defense and LA's 3 willing passers can get him the ball.