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Fred VanVleet will always be known as one of the best undrafted players in NBA history, especially after signing a four-year, $85 million extension last offseason. He barely made the Toronto Raptors roster in 2017, but he is now the catalyst of their offense and the best player on the team.
Despite the early season struggles and injuries Toronto had faced, VanVleet has been a constant performer as he captains the ship.
Surprisingly, the Raptors are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference, highlighted by a magnificent five-game winning streak. Initially, VanVleet's pesky defense was the main reason he gained more minutes under the tutelage of Nick Nurse. He defended Stephen Curry tremendously in the 2019 NBA Finals, and now he is one of the leading candidates to be selected to his first All-Star Game.
Fred VanVleet's All-Star Case
3. Developing into a polished leader
With the departure of Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry, it was inevitable for someone like Fred VanVleet to step up and become the leader for the Raptors. Pascal Siakam was fulfilling that responsibility during the 2020-21 season, but he has since struggled after his disastrous performance in the bubble.
VanVleet has been leading the league in minutes at 37.5 per game since the Raptors lack depth at the point guard position.
.@FredVanVleet ballin' like the #NBAAllStar he is
31 Pts | 9 Ast | 4 Reb | 4 3pm
⭐️ 1 RT = 1 Vote ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/q1lPLys1QW
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2022
FVV's shooting numbers has immensely increased from his early years in the NBA. He is currently shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from long distance. This has been an incredible progression in his efficiency even as the volume of his shots continue to ascend. Moreover, defenses are more focused on VanVleet already, but he is still able to manufacture shots for himself and his teammates.
2. Finding different ways to involve teammates
Even with the point guards becoming more of score-first options among a plethora of teams, VanVleet's playmaking ability has still been very evident–averaging over six assists per game in the last three seasons.
Moreover, it is not only in the assist numbers that he impacts the game. There are instances as well when VanVleet's floor general skills raise the confidence of his teammates like Siakam, Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent Jr.
Barnes and Trent Jr. in particular have exceeded expectations this year, and one could link their success to VanVleet.
He knows when to take charge, such as his 24-point third quarter explosion against the Utah Jazz. They struggled almost the whole first half, but VanVleet knew when to put his foot down. That is what All-Stars do.
1. Two-way menace
Some of his competition at the backcourt in the Eastern Conference just flourish on the offensive end of the floor, like Darius Garland or LaMelo Ball. The fans would prefer for coaches to select both Ball and Garland because they are more of the flashy type of players, but VanVleet is more of an all-around individual that does not cause a ton of mismatches despite his undersized stature.
Golden State's Stephen Curry and Brooklyn's Kevin Durant lead the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively, in the first fan returns of NBA All-Star Voting presented by Tissot.
The next NBA All-Star fan voting update will be shared Thursday, Jan. 13. pic.twitter.com/B0kSITw4Sr
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 6, 2022
VanVleet's relentlessness and determination to defend guards is admirable because he does not relax defensively even if a ton of production are expected of him offensively as well. His hard work and desire to be the disruptor and grab the rock makes it difficult for opponents to set their players, especially with the long wingspan of the Raptors wings in Siakam, Barnes and OG Anunoby.
The Raptors are not the sexy franchise to predict to make some noise in the playoffs, but any team that has proven and experienced players has a chance to upset the favorites. Siakam and VanVleet were on the 2019 championship team, making it an easier process for the young individuals to get influenced with their voice in the locker room. The play-in tournament is the likely scenario for Toronto but watch out for his squad led by Nurse, VanVleet, and Siakam.
