Is Jarred Vanderbilt shaping up to be the Timberwolves’ Dennis Rodman?

Dennis Vanderbilt … er Jarred Rodman. However you want to slice it, it’s time to ask the question: is Timberwolves forward Jarred Vanderbilt shaping up to be Dennis Rodman?

Is Jarred Vanderbilt shaping up to be the Timberwolves’ Dennis Rodman?

Jarred Vanderbilt has been cleaning up the glass for the Timberwolves this season better than Windex Blue Spray.

As we see the Timberwolves’ board man literally RISE to occasion time and time again, we think back to another player known for getting rebounds, Mr. Dennis Rodman. Although Vanderbilt doesn’t have the amount of following and spotlight the former Piston and Bulls legend does, if his stats continue on this trend, one day he just might.

I know what you’re thinking, “are we really comparing Vanderbilt to Rodman?” Well, yes. This isn’t the first time it’s happened either. Just ask John Calipari who said he could be the “best rebounder in the world,” or Bally Sports North Timberwolves television analyst, Jim Petersen, who played against Dennis Rodman.

After two seasons of almost no minutes, Vanderbilt got himself into the lineup last year, starting 30 of 64 games. Now in his fourth season and still a young buck at 22 years old, Vanderbilt is getting his first significant minutes and has received the starting nod in 18 of 25 games.

Let’s compare Vanderbilts first two seasons as a significant role player with Rodman’s first two seasons.

Year One Rebounds

How many other players would you start the comparison portion of the article with rebounds? Exactly the point.

Jarred Vanderbilt, Age 21, Third season

• In 17.8 minutes per game, Vanderbilt averaged 5.8 total rebounds with 3.9 on the defensive boards and 1.8 on the offensive boards. Vanderbilt had splits of 17.5 percent of available total rebounds, 24.7 percent of available defensive rebounds, and 10.8 percent of available offensive rebounds. These percentages are an estimate of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor. His per-36-minute stats were 11.6 total rebounds with 7.9 defensive boards and 3.7 offensive boards.

Dennis Rodman, Age 25, First season

• In 15.0 minutes per game, Rodman averaged 4.3 total rebounds with 2.2 on the defensive boards and 2.1 on the offensive boards. Rodman had splits of 15.5 percent of available total rebounds, 15.3 percent of available defensive rebounds, and 15.6 percent of available offensive rebounds. His per-36-minute stats were 10.3 total rebounds with 5.3 defensive boards and 5.1 offensive boards.

Year Two Rebounds

Jarred Vanderbilt, Age 22, Fourth season (25 games so far)

• In 23.5 minutes per game, Vanderbilt is averaging 8.2 total rebounds with 5.2 on the defensive boards and 3.0 on the offensive boards. Vanderbilt has splits of 18.3 percent of available total rebounds, 24.5 percent of available defensive rebounds, and 12.8 percent of available offensive rebounds. His per-36-minute stats are 12.6 total rebounds with 8.0 defensive boards and 4.7 offensive boards.

Dennis Rodman, Age 26, Second season

• In 26.2 minutes per game, Rodman averaged 8.7 total rebounds with 4.8 on the defensive boards and 3.9 on the offensive boards. Rodman had splits of 18.6 percent of available total rebounds, 20.2 percent of available defensive rebounds, and 16.9 percent of available offensive rebounds. His per-36-minute stats were 12.0 total rebounds with 6.7 defensive boards and 5.3 offensive boards.

Year One Defense

Jarred Vanderbilt, Age 21, Third season

• In 17.8 minutes, Vanderbilt averaged 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks, with a 2.7 percent steal rate and a 3.5 percent block rate. His defensive rating was 110, and his defensive win shares were 1.5 wins. League average defensive rating in 2020 was 110.6.

Dennis Rodman, Age 25, First season

• In 15.0 minutes, Rodman averaged 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks with a 1.6 percent steal rate and a 2.4 percent block rate. His defensive rating was 104, and his defensive win shares were 1.7 wins. League average defensive rating in 1986-87 season was 108.3.

Year Two Defense

Jarred Vanderbilt, Age 22, Fourth season (25 games so far)

• In 23.5 minutes, Vanderbilt is averaging 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks with a steal rate of 3.1 percent steal rate and a 3.2 percent block rate. His defensive rating is 103, and his defensive win shares are 1.0 wins.

Dennis Rodman, Age 26, Second season

• In 26.2 minutes, Rodman averaged 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks with a steal rate of 1.7 percent and a block rate of 1.2 percent. His defensive rating was 103, and his defensive win shares were 3.6 wins.

Of course, we’ll have to wait and see if Vanderbilt can be the Timberwolves’ Rodman

In Rodman’s fourth and fifth seasons, at the ages of 28 and 29, respectively, his minutes were increased, and along came his two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Vanderbilt received his first real minutes three years younger than Rodman, but his stats are trending in the same direction.

With Vanderbilt’s fourth season underway, and possibly an increased role next year, we could see this ball of energy finally burst into full potential. Anthony Edwards is already calling for Vanderbilt to be First Team All-Defense, but the ceiling could be even higher, and Vanderbilt should start making room for his trophy case.

Who knows, perhaps Finch’s $100 penalty for giving up an offensive board that was put in earlier this season is having an impact…