The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks. Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and D’Angelo Russell will get most of the press after the game, but Jarred Vanderbilt was also a big part of the win.

As usual, his stats don’t stand out—seven points and nine rebounds—but anyone who watched the game could tell he made a difference. He was a big reason why Kyrie Irving only made 4 of 16 shots and made a lot of hard plays all night.

Vanderbilt had a heel problem that held him back at the beginning of the season, but the forward says he’s getting better with each game.

Vanderbilt said after the win, “I feel better.” “Like I said, I feel like I’m getting better every game. I’m getting more comfortable, in better shape, and in a better rhythm.” I get more used to being outside the more I play.”

If Vanderbilt got back to playing his best, it would be huge for the Lakers. He is one of the best wing guards in the game. Even though it’s taken time, Vanderbilt is proud of the fact that he always gives his all when he’s on the court.

The Lakers forward also said, “I always play that way—I charge my energy.” “Just come in and play hard.” There isn’t a way to play hard that I can think of. For me, just keep getting better every day, but I already said that’s who I am. I’ll always play that way: quickly and hard when I come in.

That’s what the Lakers need. There are players on the team who can score and make plays, but Vanderbilt does the messy job, and that kind of player can make everything work. The Vanderbilt player thinks that his defense and energy help the rest of the team.

“Yeah, I think it spreads,” Vanderbilt said. “I have the right to hold them responsible because I did it and saw them not do it.” Because when I rotate, they see me rotate, which makes them want to do it too.

“It’s like a string; it quickly spreads.” Now that I’m going after rebounds, everyone is doing the same. “Just keep being that spark, and hopefully it spreads throughout the game.”

Vanderbilt isn’t going to be a guy who scores a lot of points, but every game he plays, the Lakers become a much more dangerous team because of him.