Jarred Vanderbilt’s highly anticipated return to the Los Angeles Lakers is imminent, but what can fans expect from the key player? After a nearly year-long injury hiatus, Vanderbilt has finally cleared all hurdles and is ready to rejoin his teammates.
Jarred Vanderbilt’s Return: What to Expect from the Lakers’ Key Player
The Unicorn Returns
Jarred Vanderbilt feels like a mythical creature for the Los Angeles Lakers. Is he real or just a figment of their imagination? The front office has consistently touted him as a key piece, and his return is imminent.
Understanding Vanderbilt’s Injury History
Vanderbilt missed nearly a year due to injury, with his most recent setback being a foot injury against the Boston Celtics. Based on the mechanism of injury, it appears he suffered a “Lisfranc” injury, which can be quite tricky and nagging. He underwent surgery over the summer to repair the problem.
Rehabilitation and Return
Vanderbilt’s return has been a long and arduous process. After missing nearly a year, his body had to readapt to basketball, leading to knee soreness in December. However, he seems to have cleared all hurdles without any more issues. He recently went through 5-on-5 on-court work, which is typically the final stage before games.
What to Expect from Vanderbilt this Season
With his return imminent, the key question becomes: what can the Lakers expect from him this season? First and foremost, he will be on a minutes restriction for the foreseeable future. This is crucial for re-acclimating safely after missing nearly a year. It takes considerable time to rebuild game fitness, rhythm, and confidence.
A Cautionary Tale: Gabe Vincent’s Story
Gabe Vincent’s story serves as an example of just how long it can take to adapt to playing basketball again. After missing all of last season with a knee injury, he is finally rounding into the player his team envisioned when they signed him. Unlike Vanderbilt, however, Vincent played in last year’s playoffs and had an off-season to build up his base.
Vanderbilt’s Limited Role Offensively
One key difference between Vanderbilt and Vincent is that Vanderbilt has a much more limited role offensively. This may lead to a quicker adaptation on that end. However, the Lakers will still need to be methodical with his minutes and on-court demands to allow him to gradually adapt and avoid further injury risks.
The Road Ahead
With 40 games left in the regular season, the Lakers have an ongoing patient and prudent approach for Vanderbilt. They want him to be nearing 90% of his normal self as the team approaches the playoffs. Expect some bumps along the way, whether it’s with his level of play or dealing with soreness or small injuries.
The Potential Impact
If Vanderbilt and the team can effectively manage his return to 100% fitness and health, it could be a major addition for the team. The unicorn might just become real.
- silverscreenandroll.com | What should Lakers expect from Jarred Vanderbilt this season ...
