For the first five years of his NBA career, Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet has had veteran Kyle Lowry to lean on as perhaps the best mentor that any young guard in the league could ask for. Lowry took to his position as the teacher and VanFleet was the ever-vigilant pupil that shined as a secondary playmaker for the Raptors. The two even won an NBA championship together in 2019. This year, though, Lowry has departed for Miami and VanVleet has taken on a larger role in Toronto. Many wondered how VanVleet would do without Lowry to lean on…those concerns were quickly laid to rest as VanVleet has averaged 21.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game in 2021-22.

He has also shot 39.3 percent from three-point distance and 41.6 percent overall from the field, earning him his first-ever All-Star game selection. Word of the Eastern Conference reserves being announced had made its way to Lowry before his press conference on Thursday and he ended his media availability by giving a shoutout to VanVleet:

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Without Lowry, VanVleet has emerged as the leader of the Raptors. To go along with the great offensive stats, the former Wichita State Shocker is seen by many around the league as one of if not the, best on-ball defender playing in the NBA today. Along with the improved play of the team's frontcourt as the season has progressed, VanVleet has the Raptors back into the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Lowry sees them working, and he especially sees “My young buck”…or maybe from now on Lowry should call him “My All-Star.”