People outside of Toronto are finally catching on just how great Fred VanVleet is
Ask any Raptors fan what they think about Fred VanVleet and you may need to clear out the rest of your schedule as they shower him with endless praise, all of it deserved.
The point guard went undrafted out of college and famously bet on himself by turning down offers to play in other leagues so that he could try out for an NBA team.
One NBA championship and an $85,000,000 USD contract later and it seems like that bet paid off for him.
Despite that, for years he had flown under the radar playing for a team that doesn't get much attention from the media and being stuck behind Kyle Lowry in the Raptors' depth chart.
Now with Lowry gone, and the Raptors just two years removed from a championship where VanVleet played a key roll, people are starting to take notice.
Fred VanVleet is now ranked as the 4th most impactful player this season in FiveThirtyEight's RAPTOR, behind only Steph, Giannis, and Jokic
— Louis Zatzman (@LouisZatzman) November 29, 2021
VanVleet is currently leading the league in minutes per game, being an absolute workhorse for a rebuilding Raptors squad while putting up over 20 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds per game.
As one of the team's veterans, he's helping to guide rookies like Scottie Barnes and Dalano Banton through their first NBA season as he leads by example.
If you miss Kyrie Irving you can watch Fred VanVleet, he’s like 75% of Kyrie offensively while being a better defender
— Gen Z Elder Jake (@almost0jake) December 3, 2021
He's been so impactful on both ends of the court this season that NBA fans everywhere are suggesting it's time that the six year veteran makes his first All-Star Team.
In an era where shooting for threes has never been more important, Fred has also quietly cemented himself as one of the best in the business at nailing those clutch triples.
3 Point Field Goals Made leaders:
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) December 1, 2021
Stephen Curry - 108
Buddy Hield - 86
CJ McCollum - 72
Lonzo Ball - 67
Grayson Allen - 67
Patty Mills - 66
Fred VanVleet - 65
Anthony Edwards - 63
Zach LaVine - 63
Duncan Robinson - 63
Even fans of opposing teams know that Fred VanVleet is a lock to score some major points on any given night.
Earned my easiest 15 dollars ever tonight after picking the over on 19.5 points from Fred Vanvleet and 17.5 from Khris. Fred never fails to light us up.
— Only🦌Bucks🦌Fans (@BucksStrictly) December 3, 2021
After releasing his own clothing line and making a surprise appearance at a pop-up shop to meet the fans, VanVleet definitely has some extra swagger to his game this year that has left everyone taking notice.
Fred VanVleet is so freaking good. Insane trajectory, he truly is the most important player on the floor. The Raptors were so smart to come with the brinks truck a couple of years ago. He’s it.
— i. adan (@_nopename) November 25, 2021
Whether he gets voted to the All-Star Game or not this season remains to be seen, but there's no denying that Toronto's #23 has proven he's capable of shining as brightly as any star in the league.
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