Before the start of the season, our staff writers voted on the top point guards in the NBA. We put together our list of top 20 point guards for the start of the 2019-2020 season. I was the only one to vote for Fred VanVleet. Yes, that’s right. The only one to even put him in the top 20 of all the voters. I didn’t just put Fred VanVleet in the top 20. I put in inside the top 10. What initially sounds crazy, is looking less and less crazy by the day. It’s time to start respecting Fred VanVleet. He’s a stone cold baller.
VanVleet has been a good player for a long time. I don’t know why he never gets the love he deserves. I think it stems from the fact that he never got drafted. VanVleet was a special player at Wichita State. VanVleet never got drafted out of college despite being a productive 4-year starter. Often times, leading the Shockers to lengthy NCAA Tournament runs. The 2016 NBA Draft featured names like Dragan Bender, Kris Dunn, Marquese Chriss, Georgios Papagiannis, and numerous other busts that went in the first round. Ivica Zubac is really the only productive player in the 2nd round of that draft. Yet VanVleet flew under the radar for no reason.
The Raptors were smart enough to snag him building a great rookie class that also included Pascal Siakam. Hell of a job by Masai Ujiri. VanVleet has been improving each and every season. Fred has always been a tough bulldog that can really handle the rock. Now he’s just improving his scoring craft and the man is becoming a dangerous player. The former Shocker has upped his scoring average 2.9 to 8.6 to 11.0 and now is looking like a go to option in year 4. VanVleet scored 34 points in the opening game of the season looking like a dynamic guard in the league. While VanVleet checks in at just 6-foot, he’s tough, plays good defense, can shoot, and creative enough with his handle to make plays. VanVleet is also a career 40 percent 3-point shooter during his time in the NBA. It’s hard not to love him. There are no holes in his game.
I know we want to pretend like Kawhi Leonard won the Raptors their first ever championship. There is truth to that, no question about it. However, nobody wins a championship by himself. VanVleet was the 2nd best player on a championship team. VanVleet has the 2nd best effective shooting percentage on the Raptors just behind Serge Ibaka. VanVleet also ranked 3rd in offensive rating and the 2nd lowest turnover percentage in the Finals. VanVleet also had a direct correlation to winning. VanVleet seemed to come up clutch in every moment. Say whatever you want. The man is an NBA champion and I’m not sure the Raptors win without him.
It’s time to start respecting Fred VanVleet. He’s one of the most important building blocks for the Raptors moving forward. He’s a damn good basketball player.
