My name is Blue, Blue By YOU: Vander Blue has been on a tear for the D-Fenders

"My name is Blue..Blue Bayou (by you)."

I'm not sure if this is the sort of hardwood smack that Vander Blue of the Los Angeles DFenders runs as he is Blowing By HIS Defenders, but lately Mr. Blue has been on a tear averaging 33 points per game in the last five games since Jabari Brown's departure to the Lakers   (prior to the DFenders gm 3/25/15)

Vander Blue patiently awaiting that NBA callup

Fans of the DFenders were excited to see them bring in one of last year's top prospects in "the D."  Vander was one of the best all-around guards.

Manny Harris came back.
Jabari Brown was added.  And, Josiah Turner returned to LA as well.  All three are gone now.  Manny left early in the season for Turkey.  Jabari is playing with the Varsity squad and Josey was recently released.

If you take those players and combine them with the likes of Roscoe Smith and bring in two 7-footers (Eloy Vargas and Ater Majok) and things are looking pretty darn good.  On paper.

The season did not start out well at all.  It was easy to spot the frustration in the guys' faces.  Some more than others and there were a lot of times when the "team" became a "ME" game that came across as individuals looking to accelerate their personal game and career over working and playing together as a team.  Perhaps the Coach (Phil Hubbard) struggled finding the right combinations of guys.  He certainly had a lot to choose from, and that may have played a part in the team's early woes.

Vander is a guy that was getting the minutes, unlike Josiah Turner, but just was not getting the looks. Manny, last year's top prospect in "the D" for a majority of the season and Laker for 20-days (he signed consecutive 10-day contracts) looked like he was the Purple and Gold's best player vs the New York Knicks (January 26, 2014).



In the D, Manny commands the ball.  The coaches (Bob McKinnon last year and Phil Hubbard this) called his number often.

Jabari Brown came in very determined en route to his 10-day deals.

Roscoe Smith has been doing his thing.

And, Vander?  Well, Vander sort of got lost in the "shuffle" even though he was getting the minutes.  As they say, "there just wasn't enough basketballs to go around."

With a recent acquisition of Jamaal Franklin (D-League Top Prospect #3), the DFenders have a solid corps of Blue, Smith and Franklin.  Eloy Vargas has also been getting more looks as fellow 7-footer Ater Majok, unfortunately, was de-activated on February 25, 2015 after suffering a torn ACL. In the last five games, in "Mr. Brown's" departure to the Lakers, Blue is averaging 33 per game.  He is getting the minutes and the looks and he is taking advantage of it.

If people had not been paying attention before they really should now.  Whether Blue "gets the CALL" or not between now and the end of the NBA season remains to be seen, but he is no doubt "on the cusp."

The current D-Fenders' roster may not "look" as loaded as it did at the beginning or middle of the season, but this might be a blessing in disguise for both the team and certain "cusp" players that are now getting more opportunity to showcase their talent.

Hang in there Vander,

"you're my boy, Blue!"



One (so-called) Man's Opinion

Players have to be inspired.  Someone needs to motivate.  Isn't THIS what leaders do?  Talk to ANY CEO or person in management of any kind and they should echo that sentiment.  Certainly there is self-motivation and self driven characteristics that come into play.  Vander did not seem inspired at the outset and it appeared as though his frustration grew.  Well, he is playing inspired ball now but for how long?

How hard is it to play "in the D" for money that barely make "ends meet?"  ALL for the hope, the idea and the DREAM of playing in the NBA?

This DREAM is NOT singular.  It is collective.  These guys all want a taste.  And, they believe in themselves.

When you are a player like Manny Harris, Jabari Brown, Vander Blue, Roscoe Smith or Jamaal Franklin that can go out on any given night and post un-godly numbers in the D, what keeps you coming back when you AREN'T getting "the call."

At some point a player has to make a decision.  For self.  For Family.  For whatever reason.  Many opt to play overseas to make a better living as they get paid extremely well as compared to the NBA D-League scale.

Vander can play ball.  He is tough player with solid all-around game.  But...

Can HE stay motivated?

Be a leader, Vander.  Motivate yourself.  Motivate your teammates.  Play within the construct of team and keep doing what your doing in further developing your all-around game by keeping the high efficiency.

Numbers don't lie and neither does attitude.  And, as hard as it is sometimes, keep that chin up.