The night before Lakers training camp began, Vander Blue and Brandon Ingram met
up to watch some film.
They weren’t checking out tape of opponents, but instead studying the other 18
players that would be joining them at camp.
Blue — a three-year veteran of the South Bay Lakers and reigning NBA G League
MVP — essentially scouted out his teammates, looking to gain every edge that
might land him on the Lakers’ regular-season roster.
Operating with a “first in, last out” mentality, Blue has been arriving at the
UCLA Health Training Center at 8 a.m. — three hours before practice is
scheduled to begin.
He’ll get on the court around 8:15 and work out for about a half hour. Then it’s
time to get his mind right before actual practice begins.
He will read a bit of his book on meditation (recommended by Headspace founder
Andy Puddicombe, who worked with the team on Wednesday) before listening to some
music then getting back on the floor.
And on that court is where he has developed chemistry with both of the Lakers’
last two second-overall draft picks: Ingram and Lonzo Ball.
Blue said that he and Ingram work out before practice together and text
throughout the day. Meanwhile, he and Lonzo clicked during their run to the
Summer League title in July, and the two continued their success during
Wednesday’s first scrimmage session of camp, going 3-0 as a team.
“That’s my guy, man,” Blue said of Ball. “I’m just here for him, make sure
everything works out for him. I tell him and Brandon Ingram they’re my two
little brothers, man.
“(I tell them,) ‘It’s your show. I’m here to be here for you, back you up 100
percent however long I’m here.’ I just want them to know I’ve got they’re back
and want them to be their best.”
All luv big dog! https://t.co/P7kwtthhWq
Teaming up with Ball at Summer League was an important step for Blue, who sought
to shake off his label as “just a scorer.”
Sure, he has put up the third-most points in NBA G League history (4,024), but
there is more to his game than getting buckets.
He showed some of it in Summer League by making unselfish plays and going back
to his roots as a high-school point guard. In particular, he used his elite
slashing ability to collapse the defense and free open shooters, instead of
taking it to the rack himself.
And he stepped up when it mattered most, pairing 20 points with six assists in
the championship game, while Ball was sidelined due to injury.
“I just want people to really realize it’s not all about me,” Blue said. “It
might seem like that from what I’ve been doing in my past, but now at a
different level with better players and more at stake I know how to make it
happen.”
Blue now looks to make the most of an opportunity that has been brewing for
three years in the Lakers’ G League system.
He is grateful for the opportunities that South Bay President Joey Buss and GM
Nick Mazzella have given him, and that their faith in him grabbed the attention
of the Lakers’ front office leaders, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka.
But this is an opportunity earned, not given, according to Mazzella.
“He went from being a young kid out of Marquette to still only 24 and a leader
in our locker room and kind of the heartbeat of our team,” Mazzella said. “You
add that with a guy that’s (practically) led the league in scoring pretty much
the last three years straight.”
Now Blue is looking to parlay that G League success into a roster spot with the
Lakers. Even as he prepares for the preseason opener just a day away, he isn’t
wasting his focus on sentimentality.
He’s not even thinking about putting on the gold jersey or running out onto the
floor. It’s not about soaking in the moment; it’s about showing he belongs.
“I’m not really looking at it like that no more,” Blue said. “I’m just trying to
compete and fight for a job.”
Proud of our guy, @veezy_SQ!! https://t.co/FI8OzP87ay
Player: Vander Blue
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/170929-vander-blue-training-camp
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Los Angeles Lakers, Vander Blue, Los Angeles Lakers
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Taxonomy: Training Camp 2017
Story Link: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/170929-vander-blue-training-camp
