JJ Redick has had an explosive argument with Jarred Vanderbilt. But the Los Angeles Lakers head coach is in awe of Vanderbilt’s energy. Redick labels him as a winning player. In Vanderbilt’s case, scoring has never been a part of his game. The defensive-minded forward plays with energy, being a star in his role. Those sacrifices drive winning.
But Dillon Brooks doesn’t understand how Vanderbilt asks more from himself. While on RayAsianBoy’s stream, the Phoenix Suns forward named the Lakers star as the NBA player he finds “dumb”.
“I’m about to throw a shot I can’t even lie, but this guy doesn’t really like me, who cares. Jarred Vanderbilt on the Lakers. Called Vando… He’s like a rebounder, can’t shoot, defense,” Brooks said during his appearance on the stream.
The former Houston Rockets forward has shared some tense moments with Jarred Vanderbilt on the court. When with the Rockets last season, he and Vando got into a scuffle during a regular-season game. The former Timberwolves player shoved Brooks in the chest. Their back-and-forth escalated. The referees tossed Vanderbilt, while Brooks received a tech.
Dillon Brooks called Jared Vanderbilt a ‘dumb NBA player’
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— 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅
(@PurpGoldLakers) May 16, 2026
His recent take wasn’t motivated by their past. Dillon Brooks just feels Jarred Vanderbilt has limited himself, despite having the gifts to be a dynamic basketball player. “I just think he has way more potential that he’s not untapping. “He’s like 6’9″, bro, and he’s mobile, but he has no (offense). I got to guard (Ray) tougher than I had to guard him,” the former Grizzlies forward added.
Vanderbilt has never had the platform to develop his scoring gifts. His career-high 8.3 points with the Utah Jazz highlight what teams want from Vando when on the floor. He’s best used as a point-of-attack defender who uses his high motor to be effective as a rebounder. Brooks’ dig wasn’t because he hates Vanderbilt.
He also didn’t do it just because Vando plays with LeBron James.
Dillon Brooks clarifies his feelings for LeBron James
With the Suns not being in the playoffs, Dillon Brooks has been documenting his offseason with RayAsianBoy. They’ve linked up over the past few days. One of the first things the popular streamer wanted to know was how Brooks really feels about James. The old tweets he’s made show that there was once a fan. But then the regular taunting makes it seem like James took something from Brooks.
At the very least, it’s all just the Canadian forward’s competitive juices not letting him be friends with an opponent.
“No, I really went to go see what OKC was gonna be on,” Brooks said when asked whether he hates LeBron James. “So, I’m watching the series and it’s kind of like our series. Where they’re in the game first and second quarter. And then, they blow it open”.
