Bet. On. Yourself.
VanVleet is in the midst of one of the best seasons in the NBA — no joke. He has deserved this for a long time, and his candidacy is enshrined no matter which way you look at it. Averaging 21.5 points, 7.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, his box score is all-star worthy. If you like more advanced stats, one-number metrics, he’s in the midst of the third-best season in the NBA this year, per FiveThirtyEight’s RAPTOR. VanVleet’s numbers are no joke in and of themselves. But his game is about so much more than the numbers.
He’s taking over from a franchise that just missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2012-13 and then lost Kyle Lowry. Yet VanVleet has firmly been Toronto’s bedrock this season, guiding it towards a playoff spot despite cavalcades of injuries and missed games from its stars. He’s developed into one of the best defensive players in the league on top of an elite shooter, passer, off-ball mover … you name it, he’s good at it. One of the best guards in the league. From undrafted to this.
He won’t be just for a show — a defensive menace playing in a game featuring no defense. VanVleet is a long bomber from deep, capable of hitting from 30 feet at any time, and he’s a flashy dribbler and finisher. He is more than capable of showing off in a game for showoffs. He’ll fit in.
It’s no secret that VanVleet has wanted this. I thought he was borderline deserving last year, but last year was far worse for the Raptors and slightly worse for VanVleet himself besides. This year, he’s a no-doubter.
Congratulations to Fred VanVleet, 2021-22 All Star.
